Tradie's Mate had box eight when he won a heat of the Ultra Sense at Wentworth Park in 30.03 on April 3 and wore the pink vest again when fourth in Redshift Seven's final so should relish having the extreme outside again in tonight's far easier grade three Ladbrokes Masters Stakes at headquarters.
Last Wednesday at Wentworth Park Tradie's Mate showed he was going as well as ever when he was a conspicuous last going through the catching pen but got up to win after giving the talented Boomin' Ethics a dozen lengths start at the halfway mark.
The Shaun Kirby-trained Tradie's Mate had box two last week but is far better positioned from his wide draw tonight.
Trainer Mark Gatt has bright prospects of landing a winning double tonight after drawing box one with his entries Sekora in the Cash Connect ATM Plus Stakes and with Ritza Skylar in the 520m Stay Covid Safe Stakes.
Sekora is making her Wentworth Park debut but was most impressive winning over 520m at Dapto on December 16 after coming from box three.
Having only her second race, Sekora was badly checked soon after the jump when the greyhound in box two veered right so did well to power home for a six lengths win in a slick 30.20.
"Sekora chased really hard to win after that other dog ran up the track and gave it to her,'' Gatt said.
Ritza Skylar won in 30.08 at Wentworth Park from box four on December 8 before flashing home when a luckless second to boom youngster Ties That Bind from an unsuitable box eight draw on December 18.
At her only subsequent start Ritza Skylar led throughout from box six to win by 10 lengths over 600m at Dapto, posting near record time of 34.38.
"Those past three races have done Ritza Skylar's confidence the world of good,'' Mark Gatt.
"I have kept her fresh since the Dapto middle distance win and from box one she should be able to keep on winning.''
Kuro Kismet, who bungled the start when a fast finishing second to the Mark Gatt-trained Ritza Tommy at Wentworth Park 12 months ago, went on to win 14 races and earn over $216,000.
Barbara Ann has box six in tonight's New Year's Day Racing at WP Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, while Fantastic Raven has drawn the rails in the 520m Free-For-All.
"She has won races in Victoria, SA and WA so I would especially like to see her to pick up this NSW race.
"Fantastic Raven was trapped wide when placed in two of her past three races and I have a feeling Wenty will suit her.
"Barbara Ann has had two wins and two placings from five starts and has clocked a smart 34.49 over 595m at Sandown.
"Looking at the form I think Forever Thankful, in box seven, might be the early leader, but my bitch is particularly strong and will be hard to hold out if she gets a clear run behind the pace.''
