National Derby hopeful Two Moves Ahead should reaffirm his credentials for the heats of the group one classic at Wentworth Park on January 14 by winning at the Derby venue Tonight.
The Christine Proctor trained dog won first up at Wentworth Park in a fast 30.00 on December 4 before being desperately unlucky when fourth, five lengths behind the winner Spring Patriot, there last Wednesday.
Two Moves Ahead (pictured), who has had just seven starts for four wins and two seconds, has box three in Tonight's fourth event, a 520m fifth grade.
He led throughout in his debut win but last Wednesday jumped cleanly from box five before being badly hampered when trapped outside the speedy and wide running Clandestine at the first turn, losing all chance.
Tonight's field does not look as strong so Two Moves Ahead should only need to jump as well as he has in his two Wentworth Park appearances to lead throughout.
Sunburnt Highway will be lining up for his 140th race and his 44 wins include 32 successes at Wenty.
The Judith Richardson-trained veteran is again by far the oldest dog in the race, having turned five in August.
He is well drawn in box seven as he has won five of his 18 races wearing the black rug.
But Boomin' Ethics, drawn ideally in box one, could be a stumbling block as Sunburnt Highway bids to get within a single victory of equalling the Wentworth Park win record.
Boomin' Ethics is a box one specialist and will wear the red vest Tonight.
His trainer Peter Mantach said: "At his most recent race, in a heat of the Dapto Megastar on December 2, Boomin' Ethics was disputing the early lead when he hit the running rail.
"He finished fifth in that race but was a bit sore after hitting the rail so I decided to ease him up and prepare him for when he could contest Masters races.
"Boomin' Ethics turned four on Tuesday so I have waited anxiously for this race to come along.
"He won at Wentworth Park in 30.09 in October, 2020, and I reckon he is going just about as well now.
"After all, he won over 520m at Dapto on November 25 in 29.70, fastest time of the night.''
Joshua Board, a 21-year-old rookie trainer, will have his first metropolitan starters Tonight when Spring Gonzales and Spring Meteor contest races two and three, a pair of 520m fifth grades.
Board has been enjoying a great run of success at the provincials since taking out his trainer's licence this year and his father Scott, who has been on a winning streak at Wentworth Park, said: "Joshua will be working so won't be able to come to Wentworth Park but each of his runners has a good chance.
"Each of Joshua's dogs know their way around Wenty because while they have not trialled from the starting boxes they have each had post-to-post hand-slips on the track.''
Scott Board's dog Spring Renegade, who made a successful debut at Wentworth Park last Wednesday, could go back-to-back by taking out race five, a 520m fifth grade.
"He stumbled at the start when he came out of box one last week so it was a good effort for Spring Renegade to get up and win,'' Board said.
"He only clocked 30.35 but can go a bit quicker as he had previously recorded 30.01 in a 520m trial at Wenty.''
