Grimwoods Chasing More City Success

GEOFF and Leanne Grimwood will be hoping to pick up right where they left off when they return to Wentworth Park tonight with exciting litter brothers Kid Candle and King Zesta.

At headquarters on Saturday night, the husband and wife training combination landed a win and a second with their two runners, Cosmic Zesta claiming a last stride victory in the last, while earlier in the program, Princess Zesta finished a gallant second in a heat of the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet, qualifying for this weekend's rich final.

"Princess Zesta has drawn box one in the Bracelet final on Saturday, she's a good little railer and we're just happy to be there but if she could sneak a place that'd be even better," declared Geoff Grimwood.

Tonight at Wentworth Park, Grimwood remains more hopeful than confident about the prospects of his talented duo Kid Candle and King Zesta, the pair set to contest heats of the Ladbrokes 1-4 win series (520m).

"For where they are at, it does look a nice race for them," said the Martins Creek trainer.

"Ability wise there's not a lot between them, actually would you believe they broke-in with identical times, although three months apart."

A Wentworth Park winner on March 27 in a brisk 30.11s, Kid Candle takes his place in race three tonight, fresh off a close-up third in fast time at Maitland last Thursday.

"I was happy with the Maitland effort as it was a month between runs and all he'd had in between was a slip at Maitland a few weeks back," said Grimwood of the son of Barcia Bale and Elusive Zesta.

"He's drawn box six but the vacant draw inside him will help. He generally holds a straight line early and if anything will shift right so he should get his chance."

Two races later, Grimwood will line-up King Zesta from the coveted rails alley, ending a string of horrible box draws for the promising youngster.

"He's had six starts and drawn box seven four times and box four twice – he hasn't seen the inside until now," added Grimwood.

"He's come out good to win his past two at Gosford from the seven and I'm hoping that experience will be a good learning curve for later on.
"He's got a bit more maturing to do than his brother and I'm just hoping he can step cleanly and make use of the inside. He's had three starts so far at Wenty and hasn't come out yet, but they were from bad boxes, he does want the rails."

While the Grimwoods are currently enjoying good success on the track, it's also a hive of activity in the breeding barn at their Hunter Valley base.

"Elusive Zesta has a second litter nine weeks old to Dyna Double One and Tiny Zesta has her first litter, eight weeks old to Mister Twister. Both girls had seven pups so there's plenty going on here."

BEST BET: Race 4 Number 3 Little Digger
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