Allan Keeping and Cumbria Jack, two of the leading Million Dollar Chase prospects, are poised to reprise their thrilling duel from Wentworth Park last week in Saturday night's top grade Mark Hughes Foundation Stakes.
Last Saturday, Allan Keeping led all the way, posting a dazzling initial split of 5.36, to clock 29.29 in holding off Cumbria Jack by a head.
Jason Magri, trainer of Allan Keeping, prepared Zipping Megatron when that dog was second, beaten less than a length, by Blue Kermaro in last year's Million Dollar Chase.
And Steve Fitch, Cumbria Jack's trainer, had to contend with a close second placing with his dog Cumbria Kid in the 2023 Million Dollar Chase won by Jay Is Jay.
Minor placegetter behind Allan Keeping and Cumbria Jack last Saturday was another Steve Fitch-trained flyer, Dapto Megastar winner Eriza Sparkles, but she is not starting this week.
"She might have cost Jack the race last week because they bumped going through the pen and then she got in his way on the back straight,'' Fitch said.
"So I decided to leave Eriza Sparkles at home this time.
"Hopefully Jack will have better luck this week and then he won't race again before the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals.''
Cumbria Jack after winnning the National Sprint Final in QLD | Photo: Box 1 Photography
Rise Up Nismo has been unplaced in each of three Wentworth Park appearances but the Tony Mason-trained dog should open his account there after drawing box two in Saturday's We Stand With Tasmania 520m fifth grade.
Rise Up Nismo has drawn boxes eight, eight and seven in his three unplaced Wentworth Park runs but is desperate for an inside box.
He has won his two most recent races, over 450m at Maitland, in fastest times of the night 25.09 and 24.90, and Mason said: "I'm obviously happy to have him drawn inside on Saturday.
"While Maitland is a bigger track than WP, Rise Up Nismo trials very fast on tighter tracks.
"He is not brilliant early doors but has been coming out better than he was when he last raced at Wentworth Park.''
Saturday's Ladbrokes Sports Bar top grade 720m event is virtually a dress rehearsal for the upcoming group two Sydney Cup, with top stayers Suribachi in box two, Late Night News in five and Lady Wilson in seven.
Late Night News returns to Wentworth Park fresh from his win in the list Ron Hawkswell Cup over 730m at The Meadows on September 13.
His trainer Caroline Hughes said: "I'm really happy with him now and he has got his confidence back.
"Because Late Night News is not a brilliant beginner like Lady Wilson, I just hope nothing gets in his way when he is making his run.''
Late Night News
You Never Lose was runner-up in a heat of the group two Sires On Ice Black Top at The Gardens last Saturday, so qualified for this week's The Macca there.
But trainer Michelle Sultana said: "We decided to instead bring him to Wentworth Park on Saturday night where we knew he would be eligible for a fifth grade.''
You Never Lose is not only in Saturday's 520m fifth grade The Lids Fly On Ladbrokes Live Channels Stakes, but he has drawn box one.
"He is in what looks like a nice race for him and he is well boxed,'' Sultana said.
Sultana and her partner Darryl Thomas did not enjoy such good fortune with Young Star, their other runner on Saturday night at Wentworth Park.
Young Star has won four of seven races and boasts a personal Wentworth Park time of a flying 29.57 but seems to have drawn the wrong side of the track in box eight in the Ladbrokes Fast Payouts 520m fifth grade.
Sultana said: "No, he is not well boxed but you never know, it all depemds on what happens in the first 20m or 30m or ths race.''
My Monroe has earned just on $55,000 prizemoney so could hardly be termed as having struggled on the racetrack but he will contest Saturday's Ladbrokes Wentworth Park Battlers Stakes, a bottom rung 520m fifth grade.
My Monroe has box two and from that alley should lead all the way.
