An in-form Tarawi Licorice looms as the stumbling block for Zipping Megatron being able to notch his first Wentworth Park win in over eight months on Thursday night.
Zipping Megatron, runner-up to Blue Kermaro in the Million Dollar Chase final at Wentworth Park last October, looks well placed in Saturday's 520m fifth grade Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pots Stakes.
But while he has been placed in two of four appearances this year, trainer Jason Magri conceded "he is not the dog he was a year ago.''
Magri added: "He finished fourth and second in two Wentworth Park starts this month but the old Zipping Megatron would have picked up the leaders and won those races.
"I must admit I was not too excited by his last start fifth at Richmond but that was the first time he had been out of the boxes there, he had only ever had hand-slips at that track.
"From box five on Saturday night I expect Zipping Megatron to flop out of the boxes and look for a run along the fence.''
Magri agreed Tarawi Licorice, who has won each of his past three starts at Gosford and been placed in four of five Wentworth Park outings, could be hard to beat.
Tarawi Licorice was impressive in a powerful Gosford 515m win on June 17 and trainer Billy McGovern believes he has a great chance on Saturday night.
"If this race was at Gosford I think he would be a 'good thing' because he loves that track,'' McGovern said.
"But although Tarawi Licorice has not won at Wenty, his runs there have been better than they look on paper and he trialled really well before he ever raced there.
"In his first look at Wentworth Park Tarawi Licorice clocked a fast 24.10 in a post-to-post slip.
"I think he is boxed okay in six because Tarawi Licorice likes to run in the middle of the track.''
Zipping Megatron
Zipping Megatron's kennelmate Santino Kade has the best Wentworth Park record of the seven greyhounds in Saturday's Ladbrokes Odds Surge Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Trainer Jason Magri said: "This does look a 'winnable' race for Santino Kade and although he has not raced beyond 401m since March, he is ready to run out a solid 520m on Saturday.
"My only concern is box two because I believe Santino Kade is more comfortable from outside draws.''
Might Have Been "did not get hot'' in three recent Brisbane appearances but trainer Minnie Finn is confident he is ready to score his 20th win in Saturday night's MHF Beanies On Sale Now Stakes, a 720m fourth and fifth grade.
With just on $215,000 in earnings, Might Have Been looks well placed in Saturday's low grade event and Finn advised punters to forget her dog's recent trio of flops at The Q Parklands circuit.
She said: "For some reason quite a few Sydney dogs haven't fired in Brisbane lately but Might Have Been bounced back to lead all the way in the best time of the meeting over 520m at Richmond last Friday.
"The way he went to the line there tells me he is ready to run a solid 720m on Saturday.
"Might Have Been is an incredibly versatile dog and he is well positioned out wide in box seven.''
Might Have Been
Trainer Michelle Sultana considered My Picasso good enough to contest the Nowra Puppy Classic series in late April and while the dog finished at the tail of the field in his heat he looks suitably placed in Saturday's Ladbrokes Bet Ticker 1-2 wins 520m fifth grade.
My Picasso will be making his Wentworth Park debut but his second placings in his two most recent appearances, over 400m at Maitland and Bulli, suggest he will be suited by the longer trip.
My Picasso has used a bit of the track in most of his races so seems well positioned in box seven.
