Greg In Pursuit of ‘Stella' Wentworth Park Return

GREG Stella has not raced at Wentworth Park since the days of his former star stayer Shape Shifter way back in the 1990s, but he heads there on Friday night seeking a crack at a million dollar pay day from a box one semi-final draw.

Magistrate is his dog, the son of Fernando Bale which he trains for Donna Darcy, and he comes into semi-final four with his perfect box draw … the red.

And his chances have been made a little easier also with the scratchings in the race of Aussie Rocks and Al's Entity.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK FRIDAY NIGHT

“I trialled him at Wenty last Saturday and he went 29.80, which I was very happy with,” said Greg.

While one would expect the winner of 22 of his 41 race starts to go quicker, Stella's “Group 1 catcher”, fellow Queenslander Mick Zammit, reported Magistrate came out on his nose in the trial.

“Mick caught him in the trial for me and said it was obvious from the head-on view of the trial.”

Zammit was in Sydney to qualify Albion Park track record holder Jay Is Jay for this week's semis and he has drawn perfectly in the two.

We're off to a decider in the Origin Greyhound Series at @Brisgreys!

Magistrate utilises his Box 1 advantage to full effect and beats home fellow Queenslander Hello Mike to level the series 1-1 ????@RaceQLD pic.twitter.com/mAUuxhD62G

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2023

Stella said Magistrate ran only 5.60 to the first mark, then drifted off at the first turn in his trial but used his back straight pace to pick up and the time of 29.80 was good considering the early woes.

“He has pulled up well and by Monday you would not know he had a run,” said Stella.

“We will go with the same plan as last Saturday night, staying at a motel at Wyong, racing and then coming home Saturday.

“He travelled perfectly there and back.”

Stella knows his dog must time the start perfectly against Million Dollar Chase semi-final rivals.

“Box one gives him his chance to do that,” he said.

“It is a very tough race as would be expected.

“He has had his box manners down pat at Albion Park and I'm glad I had the opportunity to trial him on Wenty. That's a must.”

Magistrate, which won the Casino regional final, comes up against star Victorian Hector Frawley.

“I'm told Hector Frawley trialled 29.50 at Wenty on Monday,” said Greg.

@SkyRacingAU Brisbane Cup Prelude 520m

1st: Jay Is Jay (4) – 29.73
2nd: Cash Master (1)
3rd: Shipwreck (6)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @SkyRacingAU @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @SEN_track @Thedogs_com_au @MMcInallyPhotos pic.twitter.com/AnbXOvEMtP

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) May 31, 2023

Jay Is Jay is expected to be a huge improver on his qualifying win last weekend in 29.73 and has drawn to suit in the two in semi-final three.

Meanwhile, Stella's former star sprinter, Black Comanche, made a successful comeback to racing after 11 months on the sidelines when winning a 3rd-4th Grade at Capalaba on Wednesday.

“He pulled up great after his stewards trial recently and this was a very nice race for him to start off racing again,” said Greg.

Black Comanche was slow away off the red but strode to the front half way up the straight and raced away to win easily in 19.92 as the $1.35 favourite.