Romantic Miss' chances of scoring her first Wentworth Park long distance win depend on how she jumps in Saturday night’s Greyhound Recorder Stayers' Series final.
That’s the opinion of trainer Mario Abela following her emphatic all-the-way heat win over 717m at Richmond last Saturday night in a slick 42.24.
Romantic Miss had box five at Richmond and while she has box four on Saturday, Mario does not believe that will be a problem "providing she jumps cleanly".
At her only Wentworth Park 720m outing Romantic Miss, a daughter of Mario’s 2007 Wentworth Park Gold Cup winner Romantic Diva, finished a six lengths fourth to Cheeky Marble in the average time of 42.61.
"I was disappointed in that run but she didn’t begin well and she seems to put in a lot harder when she is on the bunny or up close to the lead," Mario said.
"The only upside to that fourth last November was that she ran home stoutly which proved to me she could run the distance."
Avondale Maurick is Romantic Miss’ main rival in betting on Saturday after qualifying with a fair 42.61 win over 715m at The Gardens.
"Romantic Miss has beaten Avondale Maurick over 600m at Gosford and I think my bitch’s main danger is Watto Lotto, who looks the leader from box one," Mario said.
"He led a long way before finishing fourth at The Gardens but only got tired in the last little bit and could lead a long way on Saturday.
"I’m hoping Romantic Miss can be sitting in second spot behind Watto Lotto in the early stages."
Trainer Simon Rhodes was confident about Vivian Bale’s chances at Wentworth Park last week and she was desperately unlucky when third to Uno Que after getting a chequered passage from box eight.
"She is going really well, probably better than ever," Simon said before the race.
Vivian Bale should atone for her luckless third by taking out Saturday night’s AAA Radiator Specialists Stakes.
She goes from box eight last week to box one on Saturday and should have the pace to clear Knot Telling Ya (box two) in the run to the first turn, with wide running Prince Tanga (box three) likely to assure her of a clear passage through the pen.
Trainer Jason Magri is on fire at present and after winning a double at Wentworth Park last Saturday should snare the opening event this week with Classy Sahara (box eight).
Classy Sahara made a meal of overtaking pacemaker Doonside Dani when second at her Wentworth Park debut last week and while her two provincial wins have been from inside boxes she should be suited by box eight.
"She is very quick and can run anything in trials," Jason said after Classy Sahara collided twice when trying to pass the tearaway leader in last week’s race.
Best Bet: Classy Sahara (Race 1)
Best Value: Just For Lloyd (Race 3)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 4, 5, 6
Race 6 - 4, 7
Race 7 - 2, 8
Race 8 - 6, 8, 1
$20 for 55.55%
