2015 SA DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP & SA ANNIVERSARY CUP

 

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.

 

A high quality staying event saw the clash of star chaser Psychotic Gold, ex Western Australian star Ash Flash along with the up and coming Grifter Bale and the ultra-consistent Zara McLaren in the SA Distance Championship.

 

Grifter Bale bounced out from the lids for trainer Ben Rawlings and assumed the lead with the Tony Rasmussen trained Dyna Arceus.  Psychotic Gold for trainer Petar Jovanovic was slow out along with Zara McLaren for Don Foster while Ash Flash for Troy Murray bombed the start from box 1 and gave them all a start.

 

As the field entered the front straight on the first occasion Grifter Bale had taken control in the lead while Psychotic Gold was quickly making ground around Dyna Arceus into second with Ash Flash making steady ground. However as they entered the back straight it looked a race in two with both Grifter Bale leading and Psychotic Gold running home hard as the only real chances. Dyna Arceus was doing a good job to hang onto third with Ash Flash and Zara McLaren challenging. As they turned for home Grifter Bale was still going strongly and was able to claim the first prize just ahead of Psychotic Gold by 1 length. Both ran terrifically well with Grifter Bale reducing his personal best by 4 lengths in running a blistering 43.04 for the 731m journey and Psychotic Gold also running her best time ever of 43.11 as they spaced the rest of the field. Dyna Arceus held on gamely for third 10 lengths away just ahead of Ash Flash.

 

Grifter Bale has now won 15 races from 60 starts with 17 placing’s and prizemoney around $45,000.

 

 

 

 

In the SA Anniversary Cup Final like in 2014 the Cameron Butcher trained Sidney’s Shadow was sent out a clear favourite after easily winning her heat however box 4 again proved too tough an assignment after she found trouble early and could only manage eighth.

 

With interference on the first turn Woodnear for trainer Paul Barry got the jump on the field from box 7 and raced to the front with Kalden Gamino for Ray Murray in hot pursuit along with Yiche for Angela Modra while Mobius began to make ground along the rails after a slow beginning.

 

Again it ended up being a race in two as Woodnear and Kalden Gambino settled down to fight out the finish with Kalden Gambino proving a little too strong over the final stages to win by 1 length in a flying 29.92. Mobius got home very hard to claim third prize only two lengths behind Woodnear.

 

 

 

Kalden Gambino has now won 23 races from 61 starts and 20 placing’s with prizemoney over $60,000.