It could be a golden goodbye to big-time greyhound racing for Mark Wilkes – and he has earned two chances to sign-off in style.
Owner-trainer Wilkes has a pair of exciting contenders, In The Picture and War Picture, racing in Saturday night’s Group 2 Rosewood and District Community Bank Ipswich Auction Series (520m) decider.
The duo are among what is likely to be the last kennel for Wilkes, who has trained intermittently for about 40 years but is planning to stop soon for health reasons.
War Picture (Pictured, courtesy justgreyhoundphotos.com) looks “perfectly” drawn in box eight for the $40,000-to-the-winner final but In the Picture ran a strong semi-final – leaving Wilkes hedging his bets on who he prefers.
“There is not much between them,” he said.
“The box draw suits War Picture but I would not write In The Picture off.
“All you can do is prepare them the best you can. The rest is up to the dogs.
“Who would I put my 20 bucks on? I’d have ten on each.”
War Picture will likely start favourite for the final, which concludes a series featuring some of the most promising greyhounds from Queensland and northern NSW.
He has a great record drawn wide and enjoyed wins in his heat and semi-final.
Newcomer In The Picture (box four) has drawn awkwardly, but was the fastest semi-finalist and seems to have notable racing sense.
“War Picture has a perfect record from the outside boxes,” Wilkes said. “Even when he starts slowly, he accelerates away from them.
“In The Picture has never had the ideal box draw but seems like he can handle the field.
“You can’t be too confident (but) I expect them both to run decent races.”
Razen Toast has drawn the prized box one, but was markedly slower than War Picture and In The Picture in the semi-final.
With A Gee ran 30.69 at Ipswich last month and looks the next best chance from box three.
Pacific Champ (box seven) has improved as the three-week series has progressed and may be a decent roughie chance.
Wilkes, who works out Casino in the NSW Northern Rivers, said he is “90 per cent sure” his current kennel will be his last.
“I will miss training but my health comes first,” the 57-year-old said.
“I haven’t had a holiday since 2007 – and that was to watch the Cox’s Plate (horse race) in Melbourne.
“It would be nice to finish with memories of a good win.”
For Ipswich Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 2 Ipswich Auction Series final box draw: 1. Razen Toast 2. Maywyn's Keeper 3. With A Gee 4. In The Picture 5. Waikarie Magic 6. Maywyn's Ying 7. Pacific Champ 8. War Picture. Reserves: Sivamet, Chevalier Nuit.
