2013 Nationals Review
Wheeler family run one-two in Sprint Championship domination
The brilliant Xylia Allen recorded her third Group 1 success to take out an action-packed National Sprint Championship at The Meadows, giving Victoria consecutive wins in the time-honoured classic.
Jumping safely from box one, Xylia Allen sat in a forward position behind Tomac Bale ($3.70) and Paw Licking before unleashing an amazing finishing burst, outgunning Tomac Bale in a sizzling 29.62 – just 0.01 outside the former track record held by her sire Turanza Bale.
Early leader Tomac Bale was gallant in defeat, finishing almost two lengths behind Xylia Allen ($3.60), while New South Wales’ representative Zulu Zeus ($3.90) finished third after a slow getaway.
The result gave the Wheeler clan a first and second finish in the Group 1 event, continuing a sensational 2013 season for the family-run operation.
It was also another remarkable success for conditioner Graeme Bate, fresh off receiving his AGRA Trainer of the Year Award a night earlier, again highlighting what has been an incredible career.
Xylia Allen has now won 17 of her 38 starts, which includes famous victories in the Group 1 Peter Mosman, the Group 1 Sapphire and a national crown after last night’s success. Her prizemoney now stands at $363,260 – a figure that is sure to grow as the racing season hots up in the coming months.
Xylia Allen is raced by Janice Wheeler and is trained by Graeme Bate at Lara in Victoria. By Turanza Bale form Wheeler’s brood bitch Tayah Bale (Droopy’s Vieri x Francesca Bale). She is a Black Bitch whelped April 2011 she has won 17 of her 38 starts and has been placed on 12 occasions and with the $75,000 first prize for the Sprint Championship took her current stake earnings to $363,260.
The field in finishing order after the placings with starting price, Paw Licking $5.40, Innisplain Jet $48.30, Hope’s Up $35.40, Rumbling Rick $12.20 and She’s All Class $17.60.
Swift scores for NSW in Distance Championship success
New South Wales has a new national champion after Smart Valentino strode to a fantastic victory in the Group 1 National Distance Championship over 725 metres at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Starting as the $2.80 favourite, Smart Valentino began slowly off box one, with West Australian Magpie Bob ($7.50) and four-time Group 1 winner Destini Fireball setting the early pace. The race looked to be heading west as outsider Magpie Bob continued to hold Destini Fireball at bay, with Smart Valentino slowly reeling in the leader before the final turn.
As they raced up the home straight, Smart Valentino showed his superior staying prowess, finally getting to pacesetter Magpie Bob to score by less than half a length in 42.83, giving trainer Mark Swift his biggest thrill in greyhound racing. Tasmanian chaser Lashing Jill ($35.90) finished powerfully for third, while Destini Fireball looked a fair way off his best to finish fourth.
Smart Valentino pushed his prizemoney to over $108,000 with Saturday night’s victory. The son of Where’s Pedro and Smart Betsy has now won his last three starts, improving his record to 10 wins from 23 race appearances.
Zulu Zeus – New South Wales’ representative in the Sprint Championship – finished third to cap off a great night for the state.
Smart Valentino is a Black Dog whelped March 2011 by Where’s Pedro from Smart Betsy (Bombastic Shiraz x Awesome Berger). He raced and trained by Mark Swift at Lithgow in New South Wales. He has now won 10 races and has been placed on five occasions from his 23 starts. The National Distance first prize of $75,000 brings his overall prizemoney to $108,130.
The field in finishing order after the placings with starting price, Destini Fireball $3.90, Wag Tail $23.70, Mimicking $11.20, Set Sail South $4.10 and Kalden Mayhem $27.60.