Former Queenslander Hammer Down posted slick initial splits of 5.43 and 13.82 when third at Wentworth Park on October 31 and should only need to repeat those times to go close to leading throughout there Tonight.
Hammer Down has box one in the @davidpetrankerphotography Free-For-All and providing he begins cleanly he could give owner-trainer Matthew Attard his first city winner.
"I haven't trained a Wenty winner but have not had many runners as I usually have other people training my greyhounds,'' Attard said.
"When Hammer Down made the pace before being run down by Poacher and Winlock On Top at his last start I was worried he could have been short of a run so he should be improved.
"But while he has box one in this race I would have preferred him drawn wide because he wants to lug out in the run to the first turn.
"Hammer Down had a lot of injuries early in his career but Queensland trainer Tony Brett did a fantastic job with him and he won 14 races before I brought him back to Sydney for a Million Dollar Chase heat at Wenty early last month.''
In his TAB Million Dollar Chase semi on October 9 Hammer Down had box one but collided heavily at the start and was never a chance, finishing at the back of the field.
El Timmy has been placed just once in three Wentworth Park starts but being closer to the rails in box three in Tonight's Lest We Forget Remembrance Day Stakes could change his luck.
"He has had boxes six, seven and eight in his three Wenty races but is mad for the rails,'' trainer Matt Dawson said.
"The closer to the inside he is the better he likes it so three is clearly the best draw El Timmy has had at Wentworth Park.''
El Timmy has clocked fast times of 18.61 and 22.60 over 330m and 400m at Richmond and with a good start Tonight seems capable of leading all the way.
Jodie Lord has trained 191 winners this year and has strong chances Tonight with three greyhounds, including two, Lenny Cortez and Derry Express, who will exit box one.
They will contest the Ladbrokes Back Yourself Stakes and Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes respectively, while Lord also has Lucky Ace in box six in heat one of the GBOTA Welcome Maiden.
Lucky Ace was sent out a $1.90 favourite when second, from box two, behind Aston Sapporo in a similar race at Wentworth Park last Wednesday but Lord believes the dog will handle box six well.
"I think he is well drawn out wide, he likes to use a bit of the track,'' Lord said.
"Lucky Ace has more ability than he has shown so far at Wenty and before he raced in town last week I trialled him at Goulburn and he clocked a smart 24.50 over 440m.''
Lenny Cortez was making his Wentworth Park debut when a tiring second, from box eight, behind Special Effects last Wednesday and Lord thinks that run will have improved her greyhound.
"Before last week Lenny Cortez had not been tried beyond 440m so he should strip fitter,'' Lord said.
Derry Express fell at his most recent Wentworth Park outing on October 24 but Lord does not consider it will affect her dog's chances Tonight.
"He is a good, hard chasing young dog and I reckon he was going to win at Wenty last month until his kennelmate Hooper tripped him,'' Lord said.
"Since the fall Derry Express has had a race over 440m at Goulburn and he went super, winning easily in very quick time of 24.33.''
Tonight's best bet looms as "box one bandit'' Push Me who will wear the red rug in the 280m Live Racing Action At WP Saturday Stakes.
Push Me has a remarkable record from the rails alley, winning 12 of her 18 appearances while sporting the scarlet jacket.
