Impressive newcomer Prince Omar looks the one to watch as Sunday’s Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m) series kicks off at Wentworth Park.
Mark Gatt’s fledgling chaser goes in heat seven after clocking a superb 29.86 zooming round the Glebe track in his performance trial earlier this week.
The son of Yahoo Omar x Bananarama – a 10-time Wentworth Park winner - should be tough to stop from box four.
He endured four months out with a stopper injury as a pup but with other decent trials at Dapto and Bulli behind him the greyhound looks to have eye-catching ability.
“At this stage I couldn’t be happier with him,” Gatt said. “He keeps getting better and better.
“I knew he could run that time as he has a big motor.
“He seems like he wants to win and is a pretty competitive dog.
“Obviously the big test is whether he can do it with seven others in the field but he is looking good.”
Melinda Finn won this race in 2014 with Anything Less and looks to have another strong contender this year with Winsome Dora (heat six).
A daughter of El Grand Senor, she has already done well in two performance trials and has drawn the inside box here.
Kihael Kaluna (heat one) has done well in two performance trials at Bathurst and should be another winning chance with the red rug.
Beau Hedley looks to have another promising performer on his hands with Avondale As, who jumps from box seven in the second heat.
The son of Mogambo x Avondale Miss ran a sound 30.11 performance trial here last week and seems the standout here.
Also featuring here is another of Gatt’s chasers, Nit Noi, who has run solidly at Dapto so far and looks to have ability.
Breaking Mad was another who has impressed in Wentworth Park performance trials, clocking 30.15.
He has box two here and should have the speed to find the rail and prove unassailable.
The Doreen Drynan-trained Sanbona (heat eight) and Aqua Phoenix in heat nine both look good chances after also impressing in their respective performance trials.
The $25,000-to-the-winner series continues with heats next Friday night, with the decider on Golden Easter Egg finals night – Saturday, April 4.
For Sunday’s Magic Maiden fields, form and expert picks, click here.
