Shakey Jakey Headlines 2014 Magic Maiden Semi-Finals
The reappearance of Australia's most exciting greyhound headlines four semi-finals of the Sportingbet Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park this Friday night.
The David Pringle trained Shakey Jakey sent tongues wagging like a tail on a happy puppy last week when he put on an exhibition of low-flying to register a new Wentworth Park track record of 29.07.
He will start from box five in the third semi-final and, with rumors of massive offers coming for the dog, all eyes are sure to be on him once again.
Let's have a look at the four semi-finals in detail;
Race 1 – Sportingbet Magic Maiden – Semi-Final 1 – 7:19pm
The first semi-final features three winners from last week. Anything Less (2) was the fastest qualifier with a 29.92 effort and comes into box two after winning from a wider draw in his heat for trainer Glenn Rounds. He was away moderately last week and will benefit from a bit of room early if he can get it.
Paua To Roar (4) began well last week en route to a 30.03 victory. If he begins as sharply this week then the Steve White trained chaser will be giving them something to catch.
Glenn Rounds' second runner All Strung Out (8) had no luck in a rough-and-tumble heat last week, finishing third to Old Mexico. Prior to that he had sizzled in a performance trial, stopping the clock at 29.66. If he is afforded room from the outside alley and can use it to his advantage, he is the knockout chance.
Old Mexico (1) made the most of opportunities to score in 30.37 last week. He has drawn well for this heat but may need to improve on the clock to take this one out.
Big Red Chev (5) ran 30.23 when finishing third to Zipping Bruno in his heat. The awkward draw will not help his chances here if he begins as slowly as he did last time out.
Mean Mr. Mustard (7) finished second behind Paua To Roar in his heat running 30.29 in the process. He is another who will need to improve his box manners to be prominent.
Passenger (6) did run second to the fastest time ever at Wentworth Park, but was beaten out of sight and only ran a personal time of 30.46. He could improve with a better look at the lure in this one.
Cuddletime Tears (3) ran a fading third in 30.45 behind Tommy Brislane last week. She will need to improve on that run to be any hope here.
Race 2 – Sportingbet Magic Maiden – Semi-Final 2 – 7:36pm
Filante (5) was impressive on debut and looks the obvious one to beat in the second semi-final. Beginning well from box one, the Janet Cottrell trained dog led all-the-way in a quick 29.78. If he can handle the move to box five, he will go very close to winning.
Zipping Bruno (3) was impressive in his heat win, showing plenty of tenacity to score in 30.13. The move to box three may help him here and a slight improvement may put him right in this.
Whilst Miss Talladega (8) may not have run a time that flatters her, the rainy conditions may have made that run look a little slower than it actually appeared. She would have to be considered a rough chance in this.
Allmendinger (6) ran a zippy 30.25 when finishing third to Filante here last week. On times that would have to bring him into calculations.
Big Gee Eye (2) moves a lot closer to the fence this week after a 1 1/2 length second to Tommy Brislane last week. The shift to the fence may see some sort improvement from him.
Emily's Sweet (1) is another who finds herself in a much better box this week. She was beaten a long way by Shakey Jakey, but a shift to the rails and a better look at the bunny may assist her in her endeavours.
Megan Keeping (7) found a little bit of trouble in her heat when running second placing behind Miss Talladega in slow time. She will need to improve to feature.
Organic Choice (4) found a world of trouble in her third behind Gilgamesh, but she will need to go considerably better than her 31.57 effort in that race.
Race 3 – Sportingbet Magic Maiden – Semi-Final 3 – 7:58pm
Super star pup Shakey Jakey (5) makes his appearance in the third semi-final. On paper he has panels on his rivals, or anyone that has ever raced at Wentworth Park for that matter. It goes without saying that he is the one they have to beat here.
Gilgamesh (6) won her heat in 30.23 from this box last week and could well be in pursuit of Shakey Jakey as they head to the back. Naturally, she has an Everest to climb if she is to win, but should the favourite find trouble, she looks the logical danger.
Brasko Khan (3) ran 29.96 in a performance trial before finding trouble from box five in his heat. He is capable of running better than his 30.39 from last week.
Lochinvar Akira (8) overcame strife from a wide draw to finish second to Filante in a time of 30.24 in her heat. She would have to be considered a place hope on that run.
Zipping Lucy (4) is in good hands and capable of improvement but realistically does not look a winning chance at this stage.
Moonshine Lady (7) ran on ok for third from this box in 30.63 last week but will need to be a lot better to figure this.
Chevy Lass (2) is drawn much closer to the fence this week after overcoming early interference to run second in a slow 30.88 in her heat.
Race 4 – Sportingbet Magic Maiden – Semi-Final 4 – 8:18pm
The final heat sees the impressive Zipping Weston (3) likely to start an odds-on favourite in the white rug. The Jason Mackay trained conveyance had the luxury of the rails alley last week, beginning only fairly, before driving through fiercely on the first turn to take over and race away in 29.62. There is no doubting that his strength lies in his second and third sections so a clear run to the first turn will be the key for him.
Tommy Brislane (7) has drawn wide again after a handy 30.20 victory from the extreme outside in his heat. The black dog owned by Geoff Slattery and trained by Nowra Hill mentor Steve White has a first section of 5.45 to his credit which may just be good enough to find the front here. He looks the main danger to the favourite.
Recruitment (6) registered a tidy 30.18 when running second to Zipping Bruno in his heat. If he can overcome the draw he is one of the major players in this race.
Fancy Top (4) was placed third behind Anything Less last week but will need to run better than 30.59 to figure here.
Lyla Mel (1) has drawn well but last weeks second in 30.34 was her first placing in four race starts. Will need to reproduce that to be a place chance.
Dan's My Man (5) was never in the hunt when fourth to Paua To Roar in 30.40. Will need to find something to be a chance from this draw.
With the scratching of Molong Express (8), Cousin Paul (9) is likely to fill the void. He is yet to flatter in three race starts and only managed 30.72 when fourth to Miss Talladega last week.