Stilton Shine will exit box one for the first time in 29 races at Wentworth Park on Thursday night but should have no trouble leading all the way in the 720m GBOTA Staff Appreciation fifth grade.
Stilton Shine scored her first long-distance win from box seven in a slightly tougher race at Wentworth Park last Thursday but was able to win despite, not because of, her wide draw.
The Jodie Lord trained bitch was hampered when trying to reach the rails at the first turn and put up an outstanding performance to come away and win by over three lengths from the talented stayer Whisky Grace.
Stilton Shine covered the 720m in a respectable 41.99 but should go much quicker from the rails draw, as she clocked 41.83 when third, from box four, at Wentworth Park on August 13.
Box Fly Bandit led all the way for her first Wentworth Park win in five appearances on August 6 and is drawn to put in a repeat performance from box one in Thursday night's Norman Smith Memorial, a 520m fifth grade.
Although she has not raced for three weeks trainer Ricky Brewer said Box Fly Bandit is going as well as when she notched that initial Wentworth Park win.
"Because Wentworth Park is closing in mid-October I wanted Box Fly Bandit to get experience at Richmond because that's where the 520m races will then be held'' Brewer said.
"So Box Fly Bandit has had a couple of 520m trials at Richmond and she went good, well enough to say she is going as well as when she won at Wenty.
"She is well boxed on Thursday so if she nails the start she should be hard to catch.''
Charlie Gatt could train the quinella in Thursday's Neville Flanagan Memorial Masters over 520m.
He has Angelo ideally positioned in box one and that dog's litter brother Saint Rico in box four.
Gatt said it was hard to split his pair, pointing out "Angelo should be the pacemaker from box one”
"But if Saint Rico doesn't get touched early and secures a clear run behind Angelo, he might run him down.”
"Saint Rico is stronger than Angelo at the end of 520m.''
Most trainers "sweat" on box one but Ashley Dwyer was hoping for box eight for Zipping Downey, who will wear the red rug in Thursday's Peter Allen Memorial 520m fifth grade.
"Zipping Downey wants box 10.'' quipped Dwyer.
"I also have Osti In Fashion in box seven in this race and wish they could swap boxes.”
"Zipping Downey can still win and he does tend to rail at the end of his races, but when the boxes open he steps to the right and will want to get wide going to the first turn.''
Best value bet on Thursday should be Money Keeping, who has box eight in the 520m Peter Mosman Memorial fifth grade.
Money Keeping led throughout from box five in a near best of the night 29.49 at Wentworth Park last Thursday but is ideally placed on the extreme outside this week.
Arch rival Status Jewel, who has won seven of 11 races and three from five at Wentworth Park, has box one, but is a wide runner and will need to jump fast and outpace her rivals to get "clear air" in the early stages.
Status Jewel is usually a moderate beginner who picks up speed rapidly, but she can ill afford to give Money Keeping a start at the first corner.
.jpg?height=304&resize=fill&width=540)
.jpg?height=304&resize=fill&width=540)