Jason Magri's Zipping Megatron was beaten less than a length when runner-up to Blue Kermaro in last year's Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase and his trainer looks set to have an outstanding prospect again in 2025 following Allan Keeping's dazzling all-the-way win at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Allan Keeping recorded far and away his best Wentworth Park time when he posted a sizzling 29.29 in the top grade 520m race of the night, edging out an unlucky National Sprint Championship winner Cumbria Jack by a head.
Cumbria Jack's kennelmate, Dapto Megastar winner Eriza Sparkles was a distant third and she almost certainly cost Steve Fitch's Nationals winner the race.
Cumbria Jack collided with his kennelmate Eriza Sparkles in the early stages and then was baulked when angling for a run behind Allan Keeping in the straight.
But Allan Keeping, whose previous best Wentworth Park time had been 29.56, prevailed courtesy of sizzling early splits of 5.36, 13.64 and 17.70, before running home in 11.59.
Training honours on Saturday went to David Smith, who landed a double with Ritzy Ethics and Calypso Ethics, each taking out 520m fifth grades to record their first Wentworth Park wins.
Calypso Ethics led throughout to win easily in 29.70, her fastest Wentworth Park figures, while Ritzy Ethics headed Allira on the back straight to win easily in 29.79.
After that race David Smith said: "Ritzy Ethics surprised me because I nominated her hoping she would come up with an inside box and get the chance to pick up a weak race.
"When she drew box six I wasn't confident at all but she jumped smartly and managed to get across to the rails untouched.''
Allira, who made the pace and finished second to Ritzy Ethics, heralded the beginning of a profitable night for trainer Chris Arletos.
Arletos bred Springfield Mae, the dam of Allira and her litter brothers and kennelmates Fawn Rupee and James Alarm, and all three earned prizemoney on Saturday.
Fawn Rupee led all the way to win a 520m fifth grade in 29.99 while James Alarm led until the halfway mark before finishing third behind She's Fearless and Forged Iron.
Arletos was gifted those three greyhounds through a deal with their breeder and on Saturday night they collected $8825 for their owner-trainer.
In notching his seventh win, Fawn Rupee continued his "love affair" with box two as he has now exited that draw six times for five wins.
Lady Wilson did her Sydney Cup prospects no damage when she had little more than an exercise gallop in Saturday night's 720m event.
Trained by Sam Sultana, Lady Wilson began brilliantly from box one and gradually increased her lead, drawing away in the run home to win by six lengths in a handy 42.19.
Lady Wilson, who represented NSW in the National Distance Championship final in Brisbane on August 30, has now cemented her position as among the top chances in the group two Sydney Cup, to be held on Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase night at Wentworth Park on October 17.
Fancy Bella broke 30sec for the first time in 10 Wentworth Park appearances when she led from the first turn before hanging on to win a 520m fifth grade by a half-length on Saturday night.
Trained by Lakis Michael, who boasts an impressive winning strike rate with his small team, Fancy Bella clocked 29.98 after heading the early leader Vintage Flair and then withstanding a strong finish from that greyhound.
Still Available has been a wonderful money-spinner for trainer and part-owner Garry Coles and the dog boosted his earnings to nearly $111,000 with an all-the-way win neck victory over strong finishing veteran Father Rick in a fourth and fifth grade 520m race on Saturday.
Honk Honk was sent out a $1.60 favourite in this event but was a conspicuous last to leave the boxes and was well back throughout.
King Harada's lack of early speed had resulted in his winning just four of 32 previous Wentworth Park assignments but the Andrew Katalinic-trained dog made it win number five on Saturday when he was able to trail tearaway leader Tiki Magic to the home turn.
After tackling Tiki Magic in the straight, King Harada had to hold off a late charge from Brooklyn Brute to win by a half-length in 29.95.
