Rowe Delighted With Taw Commander's Draw

Taw Commander has won only once in 15 Wentworth Park appearances but in five placings he has Chased home outstanding greyhounds and is drawn to enhance his strike rate on Saturday night.

Taw Commander has box two in the Ladbroke It! Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, and trainer Andrew Rowe is delighted with his dog's box two position.

In seven starts from box two, Taw Commander has registered three wins and three placings.

"He is desperate for an inside box so the draw looks great,'' Rowe said.

"Taw Commander has been jumping awkwardly lately, but he should only have to come out like he can to be hard to beat.''

In his four second placings at Wentworth Park, Taw Commander has been runner-up to Zipping Megatron, Au Contraire, Zipping Novak, and Zipping Caleb.

When he finished third, the winner was Overflow Beau, so Taw Commander has run into five top-quality performers.

Taw Commander is a son of Wayang Angel, who cost just $2000 as a pup but has been a fantastic producer for Andrew Rowe.

"I'd only be guessing but I reckon her three litters have earned $300,000 while she has a fourth litter, sired by Wow, which are 10 months old,'' Rowe said.

Queen Linda is the fastest qualifier for Saturday night's Ladbrokes Blackbook Final, a 520m fifth grade, and trainer David Sundstrom is happy with her box eight draw.

Queen Linda won her heat last week in 30.02, with Classy Shakira, who has box five in the final, winning in 30.18.

But the Jason Magri-trained Classy Shakira's effort was outstanding as she was checked at the first turn.

Queen Linda's trainer David Sundnstrom said: "My bitch is hit or miss at the start and takes two of three steps to reach her top.

"As a youngster she was a slow learner but what pleased me most about her win last week was the tremendous track sense she showed.

"She pulled up well because this week she ran the fastest slip she has ever produced but once they go into the boxes it is a four-legged lottery.

"Box eight is fine though because Queen Linda will hold her line going into the first corner.''

Brother Onyx's trainer Ken Birnett likes his dog being boxed wide but the consistent sprinter looks to have a decent draw in box two in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

Brother Onyx has won twice from five box two appearances and although Inner Light, in box one, is likely to move wide, so too is Archer O'Brien, who raced in the middle of the track in winning from box one at Wentworth Park last week.

Ken Burnett said: "Brother Onyx doesn't like dogs coming down on top of him so he needs room early.

"But he stepped away well when he finished second to Ritza Smoke last week so if he repeats that he gets his chance on Saturday.''

Saturday's best bet looms as Wentworth Park newcomer Kettle Head, who is chasing his fifth successive win for dual Million Dollar Chase winning trainer Peter Lagogiane.

Kettle Head has box six in the Terry Hill Memorial Trophy, a 520m fifth grade, and has handled wide draws in two recent wins at Gosford and Maitland.

Best Bet Kettle Head (race 1)

Best Value Taw Commander (race 2)

Race 5 - 4, 1, 7

Race 6 - 2, 8

Race 7 - 8, 5, 1

Race 8 - 3, 2, 1

$20 for 37.03%