Cawborne Footrot, regarded by trainer Jodie Lord as potentially a top class stayer, makes his keenly anticipated 720m debut at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Cawborne Footrot has box two in the November Sponsorships Available Stakes, a fifth grade event, and returns to Wentworth Park following a blistering 34.19 win over 600m at Dapto on October 15.
Jodie Lord said: "He has always indicated he would make a stayer and while I can't be certain he will get a strong 720m this week, I reckon he will get it the following week.
"My only concern is that so far Cawborne Footrot has not taken to Wenty like he has done other tracks.
"He did come from a long way back to win over 520m at Wentworth Park earlier in his career but I was disappointed with his effort in a Million Dollar Chase semi-final over the same course on October 9, his run that night was a shocker.
"There was no explanation for it either because six nights later he came out and clocked near record time at Dapto.
"His run home times at Dapto suggest he will make a stayer because Cawborne Footrot gets home in 12.60 at the end of 600m there, and those figures are terrific even for a dog completing a 520m race.''
Victorian-owned Strada, who made the early pace before finishing third in a Million Dollar Chase Prelude at Wentworth Park on October 3, heads home after Saturday night's Winner Winner Mitch Barlow Stakes, 520m.
Caretaker trainer Darryl Thomas gives Strada a good chance of going out on top after her NSW visit.
"She has drawn four but with a vacant box on her left that is a big plus,'' Thomas said.
"Strada trialled really well at Wentworth Park on Tuesday night when I gave her a box-to-box hit-out, recording a very quick first split of 5.40 and a second section of 17.82.
"If she repeats those times on Saturday she should be hard to toss.''
Star Hotel, who made the pace when third at his sole Wentworth Park appearance, should be difficult to run down in the 520m Ladbrokes Cash In Stakes.
Star Hotel is just 23 months old but has already been a great money-spinner for trainer Peter Tobin, notching nine wins and five placings from 20 starts.
While not a brilliant beginner Star Hotel has a marvelous turn of foot once he hits the ground and has won his past two starts this month over 400m at LADBROKES GARDENS and 388m at Gosford in fast times.
The dog has box four on Saturday but likes to run in the middle of the track and has won two of his three races while wearing the blue jacket.
Rose Of Lachlan had not seen Wentworth Park before leading throughout in 30.32 last Saturday night and that experience could help her cope with a sharp rise in class this week.
The Troy MacDonald-trained bitch began brilliantly last Saturday and raced wide so should be suited by her box eight draw in the 520m Where Else But Wenty Stakes.
"This little girl can really get out of the boxes and has been doing it consistently,'' MacDonald said.
Toughest for Rose Of Lachlan to hold off is likely to be Shanjo Prince, who will be suited by the small field and has box two.
Shanjo Prince had box one when he showed a glimpse of his best form with a strong finishing second to Still Blue, who recorded 29.92, at Wentworth Park on October 16.
