2013 Champion Puppy - Box Draw
Being school holidays and the annual Greyhound Adoption night, a good crowd was on hand to watch some of the most promising and exciting sprinters in the State do battle in the age restrictive feature.
The first semi final went the way of boom sprinter Dustnado for trainer Steve Hoffman who continued on his winning way with his 8th win from just 10 starts. Starting at the prohibited odds of $1.10 he began well from the inside box to punch through and lead on the first turn and from there was never headed. His normal explosion down the back straight to race clear away from his rivals didn’t happen last night with both Tex Walker and Emerley Zodiak doing a good job to hang on but class told in the end with Dustnado going on to win by 2.5 lengths from Emerley Zodiak with Tex Walker close up in third. Dustnado rated 4.49. 17.00. 30.23 for the 515m journey and should strip much fitter for next weeks final. The box draw has not been kind to him though, with the dreaded 5 box, however he will start the clear favourite and look to add to his impressive record.
On paper there looks to be only one challenger to Dustnado who was super impressive in the second semi final last night. Ernie Bung Arrow for trainer Ken Gill kept his unbeaten record intact with a brilliant victory when he lead throughout from box 7 to defeat Galilee Spirit by 3.5 lengths with Mr. Punting a further 2 lengths back in third. “Ernie” made it 5 from 5 as he pounced on the early lead in a blistering 4.38 and then ran to the back in a sizzling 16.73. He was entitled to get a little tired at the end however he still recorded a flying 29.94 and stamped his claims for victory next week. Ernie Bung Arrow’s first three wins were over the short course but he could not have been more impressive during the Champion Puppy series and is now a serious contender. His chances were further enhanced after the box draw where he drew nicely out of the eight giving him plenty of room to use his exhilarating speed. Race favourite Kalden Kapone for Troy Murray saw more trouble than he would have liked after a slow beginning and was always rearward so for his supporters you should forget that he ever went around.
The Champion Puppy Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Mr. Punting Simon Gesler
2. Emerley Zodiak Peter Hurley
3. Tex Walker Karen Wittholz
4. Tatiara Boy Cameron Butcher
5. Dustnado Steve Hoffman
6. Irish Angel Terry Cahalan
7. Galilee Spirit Robert Isaacson
8. Ernie Bung Arrow Ken Gill
9. Striking Viking (1st Res) Terry Cahalan
10.Emerley Pie (2nd Res) Peter Hurley
The $6,875 Champion Puppy Feature Final will be run next Thursday night 25th July. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.11pm (SA time).