2014 SA Sprint Championship - Box Draw
Friday 10th January 2014
The best locally trained sprinters in the State gathered at Angle Park last night in four heats of the SA Sprint Championships with quick times the order of the night. The fastest qualifier for the final was in the third heat with the Tony Lagana trained speedster Fire Tyson blistering around the Angle Park circuit in a flying 29.64 for the 515m journey. He has been in terrific form recently and showed his class with sectionals of 4.39 and 16.79 in leading throughout from box 6 and defeating Encosta Kahn who stuck on well by 3 ½ lengths. He has drawn box 5 in the final which should not worry him as he has shown a liking to the middle boxes recently.
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(Fire Tyson in full flight – photo courtesy of Arclight Photography)
The first heat of the night went the way of the Bill Wudarczyk trained Cosmic Way who showed his true ability will a brilliant win in a slick 29.75. After beginning well from box 7 he surprisingly landed second leaving the front straight on the first occasion just behind Noble Kahn and from there with his strength and power he was always going to be hard to beat. He exploded past Noble Kahn turning for home to go on and record a solid win by 3 ¾ lengths with the Kathy Johnstone trained Noble Kahn hanging on for second and giving her two chances in the final next week.
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(Cosmic Way powering to the finish – photo courtesy of Arclight Photography)
The third heat saw last years Gawler Gold Cup winner Bogie Magic for Ben Rawlings show his class with an all the way victory from box 7 in a handy 29.90. He enjoys the wide draws and has been helped out for next weeks final with box 8 and looks one of the main players for the Sprint Championship. Bogie Magic defeated Wonder Whirl by 4 ½ lengths who ran home well after finding trouble during the run and continues the excellent run that young trainer Ben Rawlings is experiencing with his team of greyhounds.
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(Bogie Magic and connections after the race – photo courtesy of Arclight Photography)
The anticipation was electric for the final heat with SA’s champion sprinter returning to the track after 1 month in Victoria. Ernie Bug Arrow captured the hearts and minds of all greyhound supporters last year with his brilliant win in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup and last night after having a month of racing there was some thought that the Ken Gill trained star could have a chink in his armour. Those fears were put to one side when the champ ran to the front at the winning post on the first occasion with another brilliant beginning. The up and coming Sidney’s Shadow was in hot pursuit down the back however “Ernie” kicked away and did enough to hold on and win in a sizzling 29.78 with Sidney’s Shadow running brilliantly for second only 1 ¾ lengths away at his first crack in open company. Ernie has drawn box 3 in the final and again looks the leader and with further improvement also looks the one to beat in what is shaping as an outstanding race.
(Ernie Bung Arrow and connections after the race – photo courtesy of Arclight Photography)
The $22,000 Listed feature will be run next Thursday night 16th January. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.11pm (SA time).
The Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Encosta Kahn Kathy Johnstone
2. Woner Whirl Mike Giniotis
3. Ernie Bung Arrow Ken Gill
4. Noble Kahn Kathy Johnstone
5. Fire Tyson Tony Lagana
6. Cosmic Way Bill Wudarczyk
7. Sidney’s Shadow Cameron Butcher
8. Bogie Magic Ben Rawlings
9. Victa Sam (1st Res) Ron Schadow
10.Victa Scott (2nd Res) Ron Schadow