Top Seeds Clash In Speed Star Blockbuster

TOP seeds Collinda Patty and Zac's Entity will clash in an absorbing Speed Star match-race over 600 metres at The Meadows on Wednesday.

The hugely exciting middle distance pairing each made successful last ditch efforts to barge their way into qualification for the Group 3 series during the past week.

Last Wednesday, two start veteran Zac's Entity powered over The Meadows 600 metre course in a fast 34.18 while on Saturday, last start Sandown Park track record breaker Collinda Patty posted a blinding 34.12 to assume top seed.

Those blistering solo-trials paved the way for the potential of a mouth-watering match-up this Wednesday, with racing fans getting exactly what they wished for at Monday morning's all important box draw.

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS WEDNESDAY

"In a perfect world you'd like an easier assignment but that's how it's played out," said Zac's Entity's trainer Kel Greenough of the clash with Collinda Patty.

"On their sections you'd expect Collinda Patty will be a long way in front and he'll be charging home late.

"He's got the job ahead facing a bitch in the form she's in. She ran 33.56 at Sandown to break the record and at the moment I'd say my dog would go about 33.80. But in six months it wouldn't surprise me if he got down to that sort of time.

"To win the overall event on Wednesday he'll need to better her time so we'll find out one way or another. The clash is good for racing."

? #SpeedStar Exhibition Trial #3

6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣m

? ZAC's ENTITY
? Kelvyn Greenough

Splits: 9.20, 22.10
Overall: 34.182

Following Christo Bale's retirement, ZAC'S ENTITY has flown up to the top of the 600m rankings!

With Collinda Patty set to trial on Saturday, can he hold on? pic.twitter.com/0LZSyF4Xeo

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) August 18, 2021

Zac's Entity – a son of Fernando Bale and Zara's Entity – tackles Wednesday's Speed Star on the back of just two starts, the first of those a powerhouse 29.25 Sandown Park maiden win earlier this month.

Tab.com.au have installed him $3.90 to take out the event with Collinda Patty favourite at $2.25.

"He's a dog with special talent but sometimes he leaves you wondering where that talent goes," Greenough said.

"I'm still working him out. I can trial him and he'll find five or six lengths when you don't expect him too and then when you do, he doesn't.

"But he's shown right from the start his future was over longer – some of his run home sections are just ridiculous.

"Generally I'd wait longer to step them up but I just don't see any point with him. This series came around at the perfect time to get a few 600s under his belt and the two-dog format suits him.

"He lacks experience but he can really put the foot on the accelerator and it wouldn't surprise me with what he might do on Wednesday. It'll be really interesting."

While just a length separated Zac's Entity and Collinda Patty in their solo-trials their sectionals reveal a very different story.

Zac's Entity carved out splits of 9.20 and 22.10 en route to his polished 34.18 display while Collinda Patty went 8.92 and an electrifying 21.67 up the back before posting 34.12.

"On splits she's going to be a long way in front – her second split on Saturday was flying," Greenough conceded.

"My bloke will be doing his best work at the end so it will be a matter of how close he is. Because I'm still working him out there's a chance that chasing a hot speed will bring more out in him.

"It should be a really interesting clash. We'll be there fit and healthy and the week between runs is in his favour as well."

Greenough is also represented in Wednesday 600 metre Speed Star series by Captain Dynamite which will match motors with Fernando Frank in the opening match-race.

"He's probably getting near the finish," Greenough said.

"His tendon problems are getting worse as he gets older which is disappointing because he had the promise to be a very good dog.

"Generally he'll trial brilliantly but he's there really – it's just getting harder and harder to get him to the races."

Wednesday's Speed Star events has produced some tantalizing clashes.

Over the sprint, June's Group 3 Speed Star hero Aston Rupee has drawn series top seed Weblec Blazer while Cranbourne Puppy Classic winner Lala Kiwi will tackle Group 1 star Tiggerlong Tonk.