Eriza Sparkles, winner of the 2025 G1 Dapto Megastar, has not raced for six weeks but trialled impressively on Monday in preparation for Saturday night's first heat of the group one GBOTA National Futurity at Wentworth Park.
Eriza Sparkles has box two, and trainer Steve Fitch said: "She has Magical Ang, who has good early pace, outside her in three, so my bitch just needs to get to the first turn safely.
"I gave her a 365m trial at Nowra on Monday, and she clocked 20.40 which is pretty slippery, so Eriza Sparkles is ready to go.''
Magical Ang's trainer Peter Lagogiane said: "My bitch does have brilliant early pace, so is in with a chance.
"Her litter sister Hotshot Lily, who has box one in heat two of the Futurity, is not as quick early but is stronger at the end of 520m.
"Hotshot Lily has not been to Wentworth Park since November 1, but I have deliberately kept her away from the track with this race in mind."
Hotshot Lily
"Some greyhounds can get what I call the Wentworth Park blues if you send them around there repeatedly, and the breed Hotshot Lily and Magical Ang come from do tend to 'go off' if they race there too often.
"On the other hand, they usually respond favorably when they come back to Wenty after a bit of a break.''
Hotshot Lily , whose personal best Wentworth Park time of 29.63 was recorded from box one, looks Lagogiane's better prospect on Saturday.
Lagogiane considers the Futurity heats are stronger than the National Derby qualifiers, which are also programmed for Saturday night, and fellow trainer Mark Gatt agrees.
"I have several runners, and they all have a good chance, although Ritza Tears, who has box one in heat four of the Derby, is probably my best hope,'' Gatt said.
"She has been placed at her past three Wentworth Park races but is going really well."
Ritza Tiana
"Ritza Ringer is unbeaten in two starts from box eight at Wentworth Park and will wear the pink rug again in heat one of the Derby but he has run into the strongest heat."
"And although Wyndra All Heart has finished third and second at his past three Wentworth Park starts, he is ideally positioned in box eight in heat two of the Derby.''
Mark Gatt's champion sprint and middle distance performer Jungle Johnny has box eight in the top grade One Mitzvah for Bondi Stakes over 520m, and while the draw is not ideal, the trainer remains confident.
"Actually, I rate Jungle Johnny my best winning chance on Saturday night,'' Gatt said.
"I think he will handle box eight better than what most people believe, especially now there are a couple of scratchings, so Johnny will have only five rivals.''
Jungle Johnny's main opponent is Taormina, who was runner-up to Laura Keeping in last year's National Futurity final.
Taormina has won 50 per cent of her multiple Wentworth Park appearances - currently standing at 17 wins from 34 outings - but she will need to begin with her customary dash.
That's because Both Bowers Ace has box four, and that greyhound can be difficult to get around in the run to the first bend.
