‘Good As Harada': Hurst's Big Praise Ahead Of Egg

TRAINER Frank Hurst has handed Good Odds Cobber the ultimate endorsement ahead of his final hitout before launching his assault on the Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m).

Hurst has boldly declared the son of Fernando Bale the equal of his grand sprinter Good Odds Harada which won 36 races and $1.36m in prize money during a decorated career, headlined by his stunning Million Dollar Chase triumph in 2019.

"On ability he's every bit as good as (Good Odds) Harada but he's still got to go out and do it," Hurst said.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

"When you look at the times he's run and races he's won so early on it's hard not to say he's as good as him (Good Odds Harada). And it really all is ahead of him.

"The next 12 months should be his best. He only turned two in January."

Hurst ramped up Good Odds Cobber's Golden Easter Egg preparations with a slashing 29.49s victory at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, extending his record to 15 wins from 24 starts.

The Gosford Cup hero will step out again at headquarters this Saturday night with Hurst confident the run will have his star sprinter perfectly positioned for an all out attack on the three-week – $350,000-to-the-winner – Golden Easter Egg series.

Set to exit box one for the second week running, Good Odds Cobber, winner at five of his six city appearances, will line-up in race nine where he'll start favourite against fellow Easter Egg hopefuls Nangar Larry (6), My Hepburn (7) and Quantifiable (8).

"The Easter Egg has been the target for a while now," Hurst said.

Well, that was GOOD!

Good Odds Cobber was never in doubt at Wentworth Park Greyhounds, winning in 29.49!#thedogs #greyhoundracing #GEE #WentyPark pic.twitter.com/lTAhN2IUrz

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 16, 2024

"Going into last week he hadn't had a 500m run for a few weeks and that should bring him on again. He's had some luck with box draws but hopefully we haven't used all that luck up too early.

"He scrapes the paint in his races so the fence is where he needs to be."

Considered the holy grail of NSW greyhound racing, Hurst makes no secret of his desire to claim a coveted Golden Easter Egg title.

Back in 2010 the Londonderry mentor finished third with fastest qualifier Fancy Mandy while two years ago his group 1 winning starlet Good Odds Cash ran a courageous second to She's A Pearl.

"We are getting closer," Hurst added.

"It's the race every trainer wants to win but it's not easy. Over three weeks with the best dogs, so much comes into play.

"I'm sure I've got a dog that's good enough. He's a genuine group 1 dog and is still on the way up. If the breaks go his way the next few weeks they'll know he's there."

Tab.com.au have Good Odds Cobber at $21 to reign supreme in the Golden Easter Egg with favouritism currently shared between Victorian stars Mackenna and Alpha Zulu at $10.

*******************************************

WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

BEST BET

(R3 No. 2) FATHER RICK

Distinct class edge returning to masters grade following a stretch of sensational form finishing second in G1 grade three runs back. Small field suits and looks hard to toss.

BEST VALUE

(R1 No. 8) LIKE LUKE

Yet to strike a city win after seven attempts but from the extreme wide draw I'm giving him a good each-way chance. Unreliable at box rise, but should get a nice cart across from the seven, and give backers a sight.

Greyhound Recorder Ratings BEST BET

(R9 No. 1) GOOD ODDS COBBER

Draws the red for the second straight week and expecting the result is just a rinse and repeat from last week's 29.49 romp. Set to be a major player through the Golden Easter Egg series.

Early Quaddie

Race 1: 4,7,8 Race 2: 1,2

Race 3: 2,4 Race 4: 5,6,7

Cost: 1 unit $36

Quaddie

Race 5: 2,4 Race 6: 4,6,7

Race 7: 4,8 Race 8: 2,4,6

Cost: 1 unit $36

RUNNING HOT

(R8 No. 6) IMPRESS FOWLER

The Gardens, Friday

Made it six wins on the bounce with a flying 22.07 Gosford victory on Tuesday and while running into a few smart ones for this assignment is clearly the one to beat. Airborne.

SMART MONEY

(R8 No.8) SO DELIRIOUS

Wagga, Friday night

Been defeated at rock bottom odds past two but from box eight expecting a return to winning form. Winner at five from six at the track and distance and should prove too classy.

WELL GRADED

(Race 3 No. 4) BOAZ

Goulburn, Friday

Has won five of his past six in Masters grade and all things being remotely equal will continue that winning sequence today in this uninspiring line-up.

RACING AROUND

Friday: Wentworth Park, The Gardens, Goulburn, Wagga
Saturday: The Gardens, Wentworth Park, Muswellbrook, Dubbo
Sunday: Richmond, Grafton, Broken Hill
Monday: Nowra, Richmond, Maitland
Tuesday: Gosford, Casino, Bulli, Richmond Straight
Wednesday: Temora, Richmond, The Gardens
Thursday: Dapto, Casino, Gunnedah