With champion NSW chaser Miagi once again sidelined by injury, it will be Varvatos left to fill the void and serve it up to Australia's number one stayer Chinatown Lad in Saturday night's $15,000 Group Two Tedesco Menswear Chairman's Cup (720m) at Wentworth Park.
Chinatown Lad who broke Miagi's Wentworth Park 720m track record and in the process became the first greyhound to ever break the unthinkable 42 second barrier will start a red hot favourite to add another group victory to his belt.
Leading the charge to deny him will be Chinatown Lad's litter sister Fallen Zorro who in her own right is one of Australia's best stayers. New South Wales hopes lie on Varvatos who has stepped up to distance racing with ease but faces his sternest challenge tonight.
Racing starts at 7.27pm with the feature race, Tedesco Menswear Chairman's Cup timed to start
at 9.57pm.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 9 Starts – 2 wins – 4 seconds – 2 thirds
Best Time : 42.29
Heat : 3rd running 43.32, behind Varvatos and Fallen Zorro
Last Time : 43.27
Pre Post Odds : $21
Comment : Box one in a final is always a massive plus but she had her chance to win last week and couldn't hold out the flying Varvatos or Tasmanian Fallen Zorro. Add Chinatown Lad to the mix here and it will be very hard for her to turn the tables.
Comment : Has been in top form recently breaking the 618m track record at Bathurst and taken to 720m racing at Wentworth Park like a seasoned veteran. He can stamp himself as the successor to Miagi's title as NSW's number one stayer with a breakthrough group win here.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 7 Starts – 2 wins – 1 seconds – 2 thirds
Best Time : 42.52
Heat : 4th running 42.88, behind Chinatown Lad, Spring Belle and Octane Al
Last Time : 42.84
Pre Post Odds : $17
Comment : An enigma of sorts, she has been troubled by injuries in her brief career and has yet to fully deliver on her potential. She was disappointing last week and it would take a big turnaround here to see her troubling the main chances.
Comment : Likely to start cricket score odds, the veteran of the field is probably past his best but did what was required last week to sneak into the final. He will be carrying the “David” tag tonight, as he faces very stiff opposition in Chinatown Lad and Varvatos.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 2 Starts – 0 wins – 1 seconds – 1 thirds
Best Time : 42.67 (Solo Trial)
Heat : 2nd running 42.94, behind Varvatos
Last Time : 42.94
Pre Post Odds : $6
Comment : Sister to Chinatown Lad, she has long lived in his shadow but did manage to steal some of his limelight when she beat him home in the Tasmanian Distance Championship Final. Has again drawn a middle box at Wentworth Park but is a hope if she can find the lead early.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 9 Starts – 3 wins – 2 seconds – 2 thirds
Best Time : 42.95
Heat : 3rd running 42.72, behind Chinatown Lad and Spring Belle
Last Time : 42.72
Pre Post Odds : $21
Comment : Jumped uncharacteristically well from the boxes last week and was only beaten just over four lengths by Chinatown Lad. Known for his late burst, he will need some luck in running but can run a place at good odds.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 2 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Best Time : 41.93 (Track Record)
Heat : 1st running 42.43, beating Spring Belle by 2.5 lengths
Last Time : 42.43
Pre Post Odds : $1.70
Comment : The first greyhound to go sub-42 seconds at Wentworth Park, this Tasmanian staying champion goes from strength to strength and ran quick time again last week in his heat. May face a little speed battle early from Spring Belle but will start a deserved short favourite to win this.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 7 Starts – 2 wins – 4 seconds – 0 thirds
Best Time : 42.58
Heat : 2nd running 42.60, behind Chinatown Lad
Last Time : 42.60
Pre Post Odds : $17
Comment : Started big odds but stuck to his task brilliantly to shadow Chinatown Lad the entire way to the finishing post in their heat. Sister to Varvatos, she like Fallen Zorro carries the number two ranking in her kennel but her early speed means she is not without a chance here.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 4 Starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Best Time : 42.72
Heat : 5th running 43.14, behind Chinatown Lad
Last Time : 43.14
Pre Post Odds : $26
Comment : Young bitch that couldn't make it four wins in a row when she was best backed to beat Chinatown Lad in her heat last week. Forget that performance and if she were to gain a start here, could prove to be the smoky of the field.
Wentworth Park 720m Record : 22 Starts – 4 wins – 3 seconds – 4 thirds
Best Time : 42.69
Heat : 5th running 43.41, behind Varvatos
Last Time : 43.41
Pre Post Odds : $81
Comment : Old timer who found the lead early in his heat last week before being pestered and slipping back in the field to finish fifth. This is another step up in grade and it is hard to see her challenging these.
2008 Chairmans Cup Final Selections : 1st Chinatown Lad, 2nd Varvatos, 3rd Fallen Zorro