STRIKER BIKD FOR GOLDEN EASTER EGG HISTORY

Courtesy: The Dogs TV

Striker Light only needs to repeat her electrifying sectional times from last week's heats to be on target to become the first greyhound to take out a second Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg, NSW's richest race.
The Brett Bravo-trained speedster has box eight in the fourth semi-final at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, with first and second placegetters going into the $250,000 to the winner final on March 31.
Striker Light was second to the back straight when she ran down Lagoon Jazzy to win the 2017 Easter Egg, covering the 520m in 29.99.
Lagoon Jazzy had carved out the first and second splits in 5.39 and 13.89 but in last Saturday night's third heat Striker Light produced near record sectionals of 5.37 and 13.55, while her third split, 17.66, was only a tenth of a second outside the great Fernando Bale's record.
When Striker Light drew box eight for her semi-final, trainer Bravo quipped: "That means she will have to win from out in the car park.
"But as her early speed is such a great asset she can win from anywhere. Striker Light has done a treat since being run down by Crash Bandicoot and Ritza Lenny in her heat. I wasn't disappointed those dogs overtook her because Crash Bandicoot had the perfect sit on her from the first turn and I regard Ritza Lenny as the fastest dog in NSW. If Striker Light can progress to the Easter Egg final she has a great chance as in big races being in front is an advantage because there is usually jostling behind the leaders.''
Although Striker Light's best form is from inside traps, her record from wide draws remains impressive and she has won seven of 15 races from boxes seven and eight.
Crash Bandicoot, winner of last year's Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic, takes on Wentworth Park's top sprinter Royal Turbo and bush champion Falcon's Fury in the first semi-final of the Easter Egg.
Crash Bandicoot has box one while Royal Turbo, chasing his 16th Wentworth Park win, is well positioned in two and Falcon's Fury bounced back to form with a fast finishing second in his heat.
Falcon's Fury has box five but that may prove suitable as the dogs drawn around him are moderate beginners and the Paul Braddon-trained dog has won two of his four races wearing the yellow rug.
Most open is the second semi where Champion Model (box one), Little Digger (three), Two Times Twice (six) and Ritza Lenny (eight) are well placed while Dual Keroma (two) is awkwardly boxed.
Miss Splendamiro, who overcame trouble to be the most impressive heat winner, has the early zip to overcome box four in the third semi-final.
While four Easter Egg semis highlight Saturday's Wentworth Park card, the return of Australia's richest stakes earner Fanta Bale in heat one of the Group 1 Association Cup is an added attraction.
Fanta Bale, who has won $1,365,175 prizemoney, is the second oldest runner and has box six but that should not be a problem.
"I trialled her over 515m at Sandown last Saturday morning and she absolutely flew, clocking 29.32, outstanding figures on a trial day when the track is usually a bit slow,'' trainer Robert Britton said.
Britton has a top second stringer in the 720m Association Cup series, with Rippin Sam in box one in heat two.
"Rippin Sam has not raced at Wenty but I gave him a hand-slip there last Saturday so he knows his way around the track,'' Britton said.
Rippin Sam has had seven wins and seven placings from 19 races but Britton warned: "He will have to negotiate traffic to win.
"That's because Rippin Sam is not too flash in the early stages but he is very strong and I'm happy with the rails box.''
Rippin Sam's toughest rival could be another Victorian, Tritt Tritt, who broke the Britton-trained Nellie Noodles' track record over 650m at Shepparton last week.
Courtesy: The Dogs TV