Magpie Hector was awesome with his 11-length win at his Wentworth Park 720m debut, and a subsequent near record middle distance win indicates he is ready to score another easy victory at headquarters on Thursday night.
Magpie Hector has box eight in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Pots fourth and fifth grade, after handling that draw perfectly in a powerful win over 605m at Dubbo on November 29.
At Dubbo the Jack Smith-trained stayer made his customary mediocre getaway but swept around his rivals to lead in the middle stages before comfortably defeating the talented Whiskey McGraw.
Magpie Hector covered the 605m in 34.53, not far outside the track record of 34.35.
Smith, who trained the champion stayer Palawa King, thought highly enough of Magpie Hector to take the dog to Melbourne for a heat of the group one Bold Trease at Sandown on November 22.
Magpie Hector was far from disgraced when sixth, just over six lengths from the winner, and plummets from group one class to fourth and fifth grade on Thursday.
He has a good record from box eight, having posted two wins and three placings in five appearances wearing the pink rug.
Magpie Hector and Jack Smith
Magpie Hector's kennelmate Jungle Ace was 17 lengths behind the winner in the Dubbo race on November 29 and Anthony Dawson, trainer of up-and-coming stayer Pepe Morada, considers her the greyhound to beat in his bitch's race at Wentworth Park on Thursday.
Pepe Morada will be making her Wentworth Park and long distance debut in the Ladbrokes 0-3 win 720m Mixed Stakes, after being beaten in a photo finish by Ozzie Nick over 622m at Richmond on November 14.
Pepe Morada led until the last couple of strides in that race and finished just ahead of Zipping Xaden, who, two starts later, broke the Nowra 630m middle distance record.
Although Pepe Morada has not raced at Wentworth Park, trainer Anthony Dawson said: "She has had a couple of hand-slips at Wentworth Park and I gave her another last Saturday night when she clocked a good final split.
"I think she will run the distance out but if she is vulnerable at the finish Jungle Ace, who has clocked 42.23 over 720m at Wentworth Park, might test her.
"The track was turned over early this week so I hope it is not too heavy for Pepe Morada on Thursday, because ideally she would be suited on a fast surface.''
Trainer Joe McFadyen has enjoyed an outstanding 2025 and has three strong prospects at Wentworth Park on Thursday night.
McFadyen has Tenacious Talker in box one in the Power And Glory at Stud 520m fifth grade, Cana Brew It in two in The Lids Fly on Ladbrokes Live Channels 520m top grade, and Gretzky in the same alley in the 520m fourth and fifth grade Ladbrokes Fast Payouts Stakes.
"Tenacious Talker surprised me a little when she clocked 29.67 from box two at Wentworth Park in October but is going every bit as good now and is well boxed and blessed with plenty of early pace,'' McFadyen said.
"Canya Brew It was beaten under a length when a good third in the Brother Fox Cup final at Dubbo on November 22 and is the sort of dog who seems to lift when the competition is tougher."
Trainer Brad Field has lost no time in getting his dogs Hey Mickey and Blue Juggler into Masters class racing with the litter brothers becoming eligible after turning four on November 9.
They have boxes three and seven respectively in Thursday's Ladbrokes Blackbook Masters M2/M3 Stakes, 520m, and Field said: "There is not much between them and if this race was run at Maitland where they go so well I would be confident they would run the quinella.''
"Hey Mickey is quicker early and has been placed in four from six Wentworth Park 520m starts but while Blue Juggler has a very good middle section he better suited on a one turn track.
"Blue Juggler has not raced at Wentworth Park but I have given him a trial there and am happy with him.''
