Brown Hoping For A Change In Fortunes  

CESSNOCK trainer Rob Brown is hoping for a change of fortunes when he returns to Wentworth Park this Wednesday night with promising juvenile Devil Ted.

Installed a $2.60 favourite from box six for race three on the program, the Duke's Ladbrokes Preview Stake (520m), Devil Ted, a son of Dyna Double One and the well-related Sister Mertens, will step out for the third time at Wentworth Park, having drawn unfavourably in box eight for his two previous city appearances.

And while box six is far from any real improvement, Brown is hoping that track experience, along with a slight drop in grade, will be enough to see his soon-to-turn two year old chaser home.

"I was hoping it would be third time lucky with the box draw but that's the way it is, there's no point sitting at home in the kennel," said Brown.

"The first start down there in the New Sensation heats he got decked and almost ended up on his back at the first turn, the second start from out there wasn't much better.

"He's actually coming across from the wide draws sensibly but other dogs have put him out of play. The most pleasing part though is that he's still picking himself up and getting to the line in good run-home times – 11.70 and 11.80 odd."

Winner at four of his eight starts, including a rampaging 29.53 success at Ladbrokes Gardens on March 30, Devil Ted has also posted a scorching 22.67 for the 400m at the venue, with Brown telling the Recorder the brindle chaser has shown good ability right from the get go.

"When I started trialling him over 300 at The Gardens he went 16.20, 16.05 and then 15.80 – I thought to myself, I've got something here," reflected Brown.

"As I kept stepping him up his run-home times were very good. He's not a dog that needs a lot of work, I keep him on the lead between runs and he responds best to that. He's a terrific chaser so I don't need to overdo things – he'll keep chasing no matter what happens in the run. That's the best thing about him."

In what looms as a spirited betting event, early markets have the Geoff Sattler-trained Pocket Rocket second favourite at $3.40 for his Wentworth Park debut, lining up off some strong Ladbrokes Gardens form, including a recent 29.75 victory.

Sharing the third line of betting at $4.00 is Zipping Knocka for Justin King and Tomic Mae for Chris Arletos, drawing boxes seven and eight respectively.

"Box six isn't great, I'm just hoping we can get a clear run early to the first corner so we can see what he can do, if he gets that he'll run a good race," added Brown.

"I had car troubles the day I was meant to bring him down and trial (at WPK) so the New Sensation heats was his first look at Wenty. I'd love to draw 1-4 with him – he's yet to draw one or two so hopefully that turns around soon.

"He's in perfect order going into Wednesday – Terry Priest checks my dogs and has gone right over him – I think the earlier race will suit him as well, he's your typical Dyna Double One – he can be pretty excitable."

On a strong 10-race card, the headline act at headquarters on Wednesday night is without question Pindari Express, taking his place in race seven from box three for Tracey Scruse.

A Golden Easter Egg heat winner recently in a flying 29.41, the son of Fabregas plummets in grade for Wednesday night's event, where he's expected to comfortably account for his opposition.

Race five, the Gosford to Wentworth Park Final (520m), gets the evening's quaddie underway, where in-form trainer Mark Knowles puts the polish on race favourite Seven Hour Park from box three.

Winner at nine of his 26 starts, the son of Fernando Bale has tremendous early dash and looks set to continue what's been a tremendous 12 months for his trainer, winning with 40 of his past 118 starters, at the imposing strike-rate of 34%.