2015 GROUP 3 HOWARD ASHTON
2015 GROUP 3 HOWARD ASHTON – BOX DRAW
Last night at Angle Park there were two exciting semi finals of the 2015 Howard Ashton where the first four placegetters from each semi final qualified for next week’s Group 3 final.
There was drama in the first semi final even before the greyhounds reached the boxes where one of the favourites for the series Check Yo Self escaped from her trainer Wayne Ryan and unfortunately had to be a late scratching from the event. This opened the door a little for race favourite Aussie Noorumba who had to get to the first turn first from box 1 and avoid any trouble. The Bill Wudarczyk trained youngster prefers to be drawn a touch wider as he goes straight on the first turn so a quick beginning was required. As the boxes flew open Aussie Noorumba showed terrific speed to lead early and whilst he ran a touch wide on the first turn he balanced up took them to the back straight in front. In hot pursuit were Galactic Viper, Girl From Alice and Long Gully Ben. Aussie Noorumba ran 4.45 and 16.91 to the back where he appeared to be in no danger going on to win by more than 2 lengths in a very quick 29.84 for the 515m journey. Long Gully Ben came from midfield to grab second also breaking 30 seconds with Galactic Viper hanging on well for third. Lucy Fergo came from a long way back to grab fourth and qualify for next week’s final. The box draw certainly hasn’t helped Aussie Noorumba and Long Gully Ben drawing the squeeze boxes so they will be hoping for plenty of luck on the first turn.
(Aussie Noorumba goes down to the line strongly to take out the 1st semi final)
In the second semi final the Peter Franklin trained Mojito Mayhem raced up on the pace before over powering Long Gully Stevi in the shadows of the post to win by ¾ length with Scottish Thistle rattling home from the tail of the field to grab third. Mrs Bubbles ran another consistent race to grab fourth and make next weeks final. Trained in Victoria Mojito Mayhem has ventured across the border with success at Mount Gambier recently however it was the first time he saw the Angle Park circuit and has now established himself as a great chance in the final after an impressive 4.56, 17.14, 29.97 win. The box draw has suited all three with Mojito Mayhem again out of box 2, Long Gully Stevi doesn’t mind the wide boxes and Scottish Thistle should get a nice smother from the inside.
(Mojito Mayhem gets the better of Long Gully Stevi to win the 2nd semi final)
The Final field in Box Draw order is:
1. Scottish Thistle Michael Stewart
2. Mojito Mayham Peter Franklin
3. Lucy Fergo Michael Giniotis
4. Aussie Noorumba Zbigniew Wudarczyk
5. Long Gully Ben Paula Hearnden
6. Galactic Viper David Geall
7. Mrs Bubbles Andrew Peden
8. Long Gully Stevi Paula Heanden
9. Gelignite Jack (1st Res) Peter Hurley
10.Lady Xanthe (2nd Res) Zbigniew Wudarczyk
The $37,500 Group 3 Final will be run next Thursday night 28th May. It will be race 8 on the program and is listed to jump at 9.12pm (SA time). It will be a terrific nights racing with not only the Group 3 Final but also the Shane McQueen Heats programmed for Open greyhounds over the 600m.