2014 West End Draught Reviews
The best greyhounds in the State gathered last night at Angle Park with the sprinters chasing the $10,000 first prize for the Anniversary Cup Final and the stayers doing the same for the Distance Championship Final.
Both races highlighted the crème of South Australian racing with quick times and exciting racing the order of the night.
In the West End Draught Anniversary Cup Final the Cameron Butcher trained Sidney’s Shadow was sent out a clear favourite after easily winning her heat however box 4 last night proved too tough an assignment after she found trouble early and could only manage fifth.
With crowding on the first turn Laurie Cahalan’s rising star Set The Scene used his wide draw to advantage to stay out of trouble and move quickly around the field. Bogie Magic, Proven Juddy and Dyna Hakon all found themselves vying for the lead down the back straight however Set The Scene rounded up his rivals and raced to the lead as heads had turned for home. Set The Scene drew away for a solid victory by over 5 lengths in a slick 29.80 with Dyna Hakon and Proven Juddy filling the minor money.
(Set The Scene racing way to victory)
(GRSA CEO Matt Corby & Trainer Laurie Cahalan)
Set The Scene has now won 12 races from 29 starts with prizemoney heading towards $30,000 and is yet another SA Bred greyhound winning a feature event in South Australia.
A high quality staying event always provides plenty of interest and with the clash of 2013 Stayer of the Year Token McLaren for Don Foster and up and coming staying star Luna Jinx for Gavin Harris the West End Draught Distance Championship was always going to be one of the highlights of the year. Both were very well supported in betting however it was the Tony Rasmussen trained Doona Bale who exploded from the boxes to lead and try and replicate her impressive heat win. Token McLaren began much better last night than his heat from the inside box to race in the top three early however Luna Jinx found herself a long way back as she tried to find the rails from her wide draw. As the field entered the back straight on the final occasion Doona Bale had opened up a handy lead with Token McLaren in hot pursuit closely followed by Kaylarikki and Luna Jinx a long way back. On the apex of the bend of the back straight Doona Bale’s brave front running display was about to end as Token McLaren quickly swept up and ran to the front as they entered the home straight with Luna Jinx warming to the task. At the winning post Token McLaren had recorded an emotional and brilliant win for connections recording a flying 43.08 for the 731m journey in winning by 4½ lengths. Doona Bale was super in defeat running second with Luna Jinx edging out Kaylarikki for third and again showing her immense potential over the longer journeys. The staying ranks in SA look very exciting for the rest of the year with mouth watering racing on the cards.
(Token McLaren hits the line in first place last night)
(The winners presentation to Token McLaren & connections)
Token McLaren is an SA Bred greyhound who has now won 20 races from 46 starts with 17 placing’s and prizemoney around $45,000.