A Fantastic Opportunity For Iris

08:00 18 March 2026
GRNSW News
Fantastic Iris ran into two of the fastest Masters class greyhounds in training when third at Wentworth Park at her last start and plunges in class there on Thursday night.

Fantastic Iris has box six in the We Stand With Tasmania M2/M3 Stakes, a far easier assignment than she tackled at headquarters on February 19.

In that race, Fantastic Iris was bumped at the first turn and came from fourth on the back straight to finish third behind Both Bowers Ace and Sammy Ethan.

That pair has won a total of 37 races at the track so Fantastic Iris, the only dual Wentworth Park winner in Thursday's opening race, should have no trouble getting favourite backers off to a flying start.

Peter Sims, who trains out of Illabo, on the south-western slopes of the NSW Riverina, prepares three of the seven starters in Thursday night's Wheeler Kennels top grade 520m event.

Spiralling (box one), Fastened (box four) and Unleash In Miami (box seven) are trained by Sims and while Spiralling and Unleash In Miami have won five races at Wentworth Park, Fastened is having his first start on the track.

But Sims said: "Fastened is a very smart dog, I am still working him out but I reckon he is a bit over two lengths quicker than Unleash In Miami, who has run 29.53 there.

"Fastened's problem on Thursday could be the draw, because I understand the bitches in boxes two and three might want to get off the track early.

"If he finds trouble, Spiralling could be my best chance.

"He won in 29.71 when he drew box one, his draw on Thursday, when he won at Wenty in August last year and is going just as well now.

"Spiralling has not raced since December 31 because he came down with a virus but he trialled well at Temora on March 4 so is ready to go again.''

Ronaldo Vella followed a fast 29.41 win over 520m at Richmond on February 27 with a distant fourth at his Wentworth Park debut on March 7, but he had no luck in that race.

Trainer Darren Sultana said: "Ronaldo Vella had three trials at Wenty before racing there earlier this month so it wasn't lack of experience that brought him unstuck.

"He jumped fairly well from box five and was minding his own business at the first turn when a dog on his left ran out and clipped him or checked him, almost knocking him down.

"He is well positioned in box one on Thursday because that was where he drew when he won in quick time at Richmond two starts back.''

Another dog who lost all chance at the first turn at his most recent start is Release Point, who has box seven in Thursday's Follow Redden Video 520m fifth grade.

While Release Point has not previously drawn box seven and is unbeaten in four starts from box one, he should only need to begin cleanly to be able to lead at the crucial first turn.

Trainer Sam Sultana thought enough of Release Point's ability to nominate him for last Saturday's group three New Sensation heats at Wentworth Park and the dog looked set to figure in the finish until being skittled at the first turn.

Release Point did well to beat all but the placegetters in the heat won by National Futurity winner Magic Bandit, and while he is yet to win at Wentworth Park he has posted a slick personal best of 29.66 at the course.

Hardest for Release Point to beat looms as the Syd Swain-trained Deep Space, who has box two and has won in a fast 22.43 over 400m at Richmond.

But Deep Space is a notoriously slow beginner and is unlikely to be able to give Release Point a big start at the half-way mark.

Best Bet Fantastic Iris (race 1)
Best Value Ronaldo Vella (race 5)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 1, 3
Race 6 - 2, 6, 4
Race 7 - 1, 8, 4
Race 8 - 2, 4, 1
$20 for 37.03%