Forbed-based trainer Jack Smith and wife Maree will be heading in different directions on Saturday with TAB Million Dollar Chase aspirant Feral Franky lining up in the series' opening heat at Gunnedah while veteran Little Digger takes on Masters company at Wentworth Park.
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Already a Group 1 winner, Feral Franky has drawn poorly in box seven in the MDC heat (Race 6 at 6.58pm) at Gunnedah yet the red brindle dog - the winner of 16 races from just 29 lifetime outings - stands head and shoulders above his opposition ability-wise and class.
At his local debut, Feral Franky had no problems at all on the Gunnedah track in a trial last Saturday and was reportedly "a cigarette paper off the rail," as he carved out 29.82s.
To put the time into context the track record at Gunnedah was set by Myrniong Master in May this year at 30.19s. The 0.37s Feral Franky has slashed off that time equates to more than five lengths.
Smith also took Little Digger to Gunnedah to trial and he ran 30.20s, but Smith confirmed that his veteran will be aimed at the $100,000 to the winner Master Meteor, an event for older greyhounds held during the TAB Million Dollar Chase carnival at Wentworth Park.
Little Digger contests Race 4 at the Glebe circuit at 7.05pm, maybe just enough time for Feral Franky to ply his trade, be washed down and for Smith to then view the contest on Sky Racing.
The veteran fell at Wentworth Park at his last start on August 17 when caught three wide at the first turn. His trial at Gunnedah suggests he's taken no harm from the tumble and the reduced line-up (of seven) is to his advantage.
Wentworth Park Quaddie comment
Race 5
LAURIE'S STICKA (Simon Ma): Risky beginner which has not managed a win for just on 10 months. This looks too tough.
WYNBURN LILY (Jodie Lord): Slow to begin from box 8 and never threatened when 7 lens 6th in 30.09 here Aug 24. Mixes box manners and gets a little wide yet hard to beat on the merit of 29.92 win from box 1 here Aug 10.
CANNON RUN (Marie Burton): Veteran which started a $31 chance and never threatened when 3 1/2 lens 5th in 30.21 here Aug 28. Not a reliable beginner and tested again.
VOUCHERS (Mark Gatt): Outpaced early on from box 8 when 4 1/2 lens 4th in 29.88 here Aug 25. Latest form has been mixed and this middle alley complicates matters.
MAKING A MEMORY (John Finn): Away cleanly from box 2 when 4 lens 2nd in 29.91 here Aug 24. Saluted only once in 13 tries here but rarely far away. Can measure up.
FRISKEY (Pat Mulrine): Short course specialist faded to finish 5 1/4 lens last in 30.39 at only try here Jul 20. Posted fast 20.41 & 20.54 wins at past two Nowra outings in top grade. Certain to lead but the last 100m will test.
BENKENNIE CHIC (Peter Mantach): No threat from box 7 when 4 3/4 lens 6th in 30.21 here Aug 28. Latest results have been short of his best yet very effective from wide boxes. Worth including in multiples.
Race 6
FRANKY'S WISH (Adam Campton): Battled on without threatening from box 4 when 2 1/4 lens 3rd in 30.10 here Aug 24. Not a reliable beginner and minor claims are best again.
NEW MEXICO STAR (Jodie Lord): Dwelt at the start from box 3, hampered at the first turn and finished 5 1/4 lens 6th in 30.10 here Aug 24. This looks easier and hard to beat should he begin cleanly.
WHAT TIME SMOKO (Jeff Alaban): Closed late when 2 lens 2nd in 39.96 at Nowra Aug 24 at first outing for 10 weeks. Not a reliable beginner but has posted 29.76 locally. Don't dismiss.
WINSOME STRIDE (Marie Burton): Placed only once in seven outings since 30.06 win from box 6 at Nowra Jul 29. Not expected to worry this lot.
ELLIE BELLES (Allan Woods): Quickly led from box 2 and only collared into the straight when 1 3/4 lens 2nd in 30.10 here Aug 24. Handles wide boxes yet minor claims are best again.
COP A CHEVY (Robert Howard): Showed very good speed to lead from box 6 but swamped late when 2 1/2 lens 2nd in 29.87 here Aug 24. Should not be far away at any stage.
DELLY VEDOVA (Allan Ivers): Closest at the finish when 6 3/4 lens 3rd in 29.85 (best) at Gardens Aug 9. More depth here and others preferred.
Race 7
SEASIDE SHUFFLE (Alan Proctor): Soon in control from box 6 and held on for 1 1/4 lens win in 30.25 here Aug 17. Up in grade when 7 lens 5th in 29.97 here Aug 24. Retains the same alley yet minor claims are best.
MY BRO'S ETHICS (David Smith): Very good beginner which landed 30.06 and 30.14 wins from box 5 locally before 2 lens 2nd in 30.21 here Aug 28. This suits and very hard to beat.
SECRET OF OURS (Darren Sultana): At long odds and never in the mix from box 7 when 5 3/4 lens 5th in 30.09 here Aug 24. More depth here and prepared to risk.
FURIOUS NOT FAST (Mark Ballantine): Always well back from box 8 when 7 3/4 lens 6th in 29.97 here Aug 24. Can show speed and commands respect on 29.97 win from box 8 here Aug 8.
JUST NIMBLE IT (Greg Hore): No luck when closing 4 1/4 lens 4th in 29.96 at Nowra Aug 24. Lacks pace and an inside alley is much preferred. Place best.
WINXETTE (Mary Wright): Wide runner which raced on speed from box 2 when 1 len 2nd in 30.09 here Aug 24. Backed up here Aug 28 with 3 lens 4th in 30.21 in similar class. Trifecta chance.
GIZZA MALARKEY (George Borg): Beaten on merit when 7 1/2 lens 3rd in 29.92 here Aug 24 at first outing for four weeks. Mixes box manners and this will test.
REALLY UNREAL (John Finn): Closest at the finish when 6 1/2 lens 2nd in 29.92 here Aug 24. Very effective from wide boxes but not a quick beginner.
Race 8
HE'S ALL SHINE (Mark Gatt): Back from a break with strong finishing head 2nd in 22.58 over 400m at Bulli Aug 19. Lacks pace but drawn to take a hand in the finish.
TAP OUT DUSTY (Rod Metselaar): Always well back from box 6 when 8 1/2 lens 5th in 30.89 here Aug 23. Nicely positioned but latest box manners have been mixed and this will test.
SWEET NANGAR (Lakis Michael): Took control at the first turn and held on for 2 lens win in 30.15 at Dapto Aug 22. Suited in this class and should be on speed from box-rise.
CAWBORNE MARTY (Jodie Lord): Worked to the lead mid-race and landed 29.95 win from box 8 here Aug 17. Quickly led from the 4 alley and posted career best 29.81 win here Aug 21. Live chance for the hat-trick.
BLUE MOON RISING (John Finn): Talented all-distance performer which is suited by the reduced line-up. In early trouble from box 4 when 8 1/4 lens 7th in 29.99 here Aug 17. Will be getting home strongly.
SUNBURNT HIGHWAY (Judy Richardson): Took over with 200m to run and landed 30.05 win from box 2 here Aug 10. Followed with 2 1/4 lens 3rd in 29.94 here Aug 14 and can fill a place again.
ZIPPER SHOES (Natina Howard): Back to best with 29.97 all-the-way win from box 6 here Aug 24. Very good beginner which has missed a place only twice in 14 starts here (4 wins). Trifecta chance again.