Wednesday’s Wentworth Park preview & best bets | June 7, 2023

Best Bet: One Hot Bandit (Race 5)

This son of Barcia Bale and Nino De Oro is trained by the almighty Lord kennel and owned by Punters HQ. He leapt to prominence when he blitzed a quality field to take out the final of the big Easter maiden series. He then had some time off after the Nowra Puppy Classic, and most recently won his heat of a series at Goulburn before finding serious trouble in the final. His last run here off this draw was very good and he still did a few things wrong. He is a big 35kg dog who can be tardy at box rise and can sometimes find trouble, but if he gets it right — like he did back at Easter — he can destroy good fields. He should get good room to move early with a vacant box under him and a moderate beginner outside him. He has only had the one run off box four, which was here 11 days prior to this race, for a good win. He is three from three now on the track and holds a Group 3 title to his name. He is likely to come up a short price, so he might be the guy to anchor your quaddies and multis.

Danger: Loose Zeus
Trained by the wily old veteran Harry Sarkis, this boy is the only other runner to have broken the 30-second barrier. However, he is a moderate beginner who cannot be giving the Bandit a head start, because he will not be running him down if he does. But if he begins well and runs up to his personal best, he is a rough hope in this.

Next Best: Esme Watson (Race 3)

We tipped good old Esme when she won her first-ever race here back in July last year at healthy odds, and she just keeps on winning at Wenty Park. She is has performed very well off unsuitable draws in her last couple of runs while stepping up in grade. She now lands back where she is the most comfortable — drawn in the red rug. She will get room early with a moderate beginner alongside her, will rail hard and should be very tough to beat. She is well graded in this race with all other dogs except Tiggerlong Water being fourth-graders.

Danger: Screaming Jet
This boy is humming along beautifully for the Lord kennel. After taking on the non-graded dogs last start and giving them a hiding, he will appreciate the drop back to fourth grade. Has won three in a row from awkward draws and will probably be sent out as the punters' elect.

Best Value: Murrurundi Boy (Race 6)

This boy deserves another win in town, and in the final of the Gosford to Wenty series he will get his chance. He has been ultra-consistent of late, despite getting caught up from awkward middle draws. He was very strong to the line last week when Fat Boys Charm had every opportunity to run him down and couldn't. He was the fastest heat-winner but is awkwardly drawn with the other two winners inside and outside him. With a touch of luck, however, he can lead this field and might get good cover from the four dog, who will always crash and ride the fence.