DEFY is among Sydney's most talented greyhounds but despite his ability is yet to win at Wentworth Park, a flaw that should be rectified on Saturday night.
The Robyn Goodwin-trained Defy has box three in the 520m fifth grade Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes, chasing his first Wenty success after luckless placings in each of two appearances.
"He looks well positioned because he needs to be drawn inside,'' Goodwin's husband Glen said.
"Defy likes to get a run through along the rails and when he finished second to Djay Holden at WP last Saturday he checked off another dog's heels a couple of times.
"But his run home time was very good and while he is not a quick beginner, he has a good turn of pace when he hits the ground.''
Defy's chances on Saturday night should be assisted by the presence in box four of Timeless Moment, an extremely wide runner, while Fabrelass, drawn in two, is unlikely to shift out and worry Goodwin's dog in the run to the first turn.
In-form trainer Jason Magri landed the quinella when Rampaging Hazard defeated Wenty newcomer Zipping Ivy in a 520m fifth grade last Saturday and last week's runner-up could open her city account this week.
Zipping Ivy, who had box eight last week, has drawn two in the 520m Ladbrokes Cash Out Stakes, a fifth grade.
She was last away when making her Wenty debut last Saturday but displayed brilliant speed to be trailing her kennelmate Rampaging Hazard rounding the first turn.
"I'm happy to see her drawn near the rails on Saturday,'' trainer Jason Magri said.
"Zipping Ivy's problem is that she only jumps away cleanly now and then, she is certaintly not what you would call a reliable beginner.
"Before last week's race I had trialled her at Wenty and she clocked 30.04 for the 520m, while she clocked 30.19 getting beaten last Saturday despite missing the kick.''
Providing she gets away reasonably well, Zipping Ivy should have enough pace to hold out obvious dangers, Vintage Special (box three) and Spritley Ebony (four) in the charge to the first corner.
Royal Emgrand was a certainty beaten when second, from box one, at WP last Saturday, but gets his chance from the same good draw in Saturday's opening event, the Welcome To WP Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Last Saturday Royal Emgrand was checked on the back straight and hampered again approaching the home turn before finishing second, beaten two lengths, to Ritza Gloria.
The Luke Azzopardi-trained Royal Emgrand has won in 29.92 at WP and Azzopardi considers the dog capable of getting down to 29.80 with a clear run on a dry track.
National Derby finalist My Mate Clarrie returns to WP in Saturday's eighth race, a 520m fourth and fifth grade, and the Troy Donaldson-trained greyhound looks well placed in box eight.
At his only outing wearing the pink rug My Mate Clarrie won over 515m at Ladbrokes Gardens on January 11 in a blistering 29.60, while he had shown his liking for a wide draw with a 29.96 performance from box seven at WP on January 17.
Donaldson trained the National Derby winner Oh Mickey, but before the race had declared he regarded My Mate Clarrie as his better prospect.
My Mate Clarrie has won 11 of 16 starts and with good railer Topper Brax in box seven, he should get a clear passage to the first turn on Saturday.
Best Bet Zipping Ivy (race 10)
Best Value Defy (race 3)
Quaddie race 5 - 8, 4, 6
Race 6 - 5, 2, 6
Race 7 - 3, 6, 7
Race 8 - 8, 2
$20 for 37.03%
