Dawkins Bale has the perfect draw to give NSW owner-breeder Paul Wheeler his third Golden Easter Egg win in five years at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The Young-based Wheeler, who owns an astonishing four of the eight Easter Egg finalists, took out the race with Radley Bale in 2011 and with Grigorieva Bale two years later.
But while Dawkins Bale was among his least heralded of his runners in the heats, the Jenny Hunt-trained greyhound has been the find of the series.
Dawkins Bale has box one on Saturday and with Zipping Midge in box two likely to veer right at the start, could not be better positioned.
“Dawkins Bale keeps getting better and better," Hunt said.
“While there wasn’t a great boom on him when he went to Sydney he was probably under-rated because he had won seven from 18 races against good company in Melbourne.
“He only needs to get underneath his rivals at the first turn and they’ll know he is there.
“After all, Dawkins Bale clocked 29.47 when he finished second to Fernando Bale in the fastest semi-final.’’
Fernando Bale has box eight and while he has never been tested wearing the pink vest he has won seven of eight starts from boxes five, six and seven.
“Boxes don’t worry him," Tom, trainer Andrea Dailly’s husband said.
"On any other track except Wentworth Park I'd be pleased with an outside draw, but for some reason it is difficult to get to the front from box eight at Wenty, especially in big races.
"Fernando Bale will need to come out running on Saturday.’’
Team Dailly won three semi-finals with brilliant beginner Dyna Nico, leading throughout in 29.55sec and Dyna Double One exiting box one to lead most of the way in the same time.
While box five should not worry brilliant beginning Dyna Nico, box four is a huge hurdle for Dyna Double One to overcome.
He has to negotiate wide running Over Limit (box three) along with speedy Dyna Nico in the run to the first turn.
Meanwhile, trainer Ruth Matic was not perturbed when Black Bear Lee drew box five in the final of the Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m).
“To win I felt he had to draw inside Kihael Kaluna, who is an outstanding greyhound,’’ Matic said.
“And while box five is not great I got my wish because Kihael Kaluna drew box six.’’
Kihael Kaluna was fastest semi-final winner at 29.75 and while Black Bear Lee took 29.88 he can improve as he lost ground while attempting to cross to the rails at the first turn.
Early speed is a big plus in major races and Estranged, who broke the first and second split records before tiring to finish a close second to Aphorism in his semi-final, is set to lead throughout in the final of the Group 3 New Sensation.
Estranged has box one and trainer Luke Azzopardi believes the dog will continue to acquire stamina.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Space Star (Race 6)
Best Value: Dawkins Bale (Race 8)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 4, 8
Race 6 – 2, 1, 4
Race 7 – 4, 2, 6
Race 8 – 1, 8
$20 for 37.03%
