2018 CROCMEDIA National SA Finals - Box Draws
Whilst it was a rainy night last night at Angle Park the action was hot on the track with the State heats of the Crocmedia National Sprint and Distance Series. Next week’s finalists were determined with the winners of those finals to represent South Australia in Victoria at the end of the month.
There were two heats of the Sprint last night and in the first heat SA’s best sprinter established himself as again the greyhound to beat next week with another dazzling display. It seems almost every week Honcho Monelli for trainer Tony Rasmussen steps out in the high grade race of the night and blows his opposition away over the concluding stages to win in quick time. For those on track last night they witnessed it again by “Honcho” and you just have to marvel at his brilliance over the 515m sprint journey. He began well from box 7 in a small field to sit midfield before unleashing off the back straight and running away from his rivals in a scintillating 29.42. He won by almost 9 lengths from Cairnlea Bella for Petar Jovanovic and Aston Abbott for Troy Murray. Honcho Monelli has fared pretty well in next week’s final after drawing box 3 and looks the greyhound to beat.
The impressive Honcho Monelli winning the first Sprint heat last night at Angle Park.
In the second heat both Nations for Tony Rasmussen and Cairnlea Kenny for Petar Jovanovic put up excellent performances in running the quinella and will certainly challenge hard next week. Pure Ability for Neil Mann started strongly and opened up a nice break however Nations moved quickly into second spot with Cairnlea Kenny following through from his wide draw. Off the back straight and Nations had ran to the front with Cairnlea Kenny giving chase and he continued to make good ground however the winning post came up to fast and he went down by just under 1 length. Nations ran a slick 29.76 and after drawing box 1 in next week’s final looks the main challenger to his kennel mate. Cairnlea Kenny has again drawn poorly out wide next week and will need some luck early to find the fence. Mepunga Gal got home nicely again last night into third for Laurie Cahalan and has drawn perfectly in 2 next week so she could be the blow out if there was to be an upset.
Nations winning the second Sprint heat last night at Angle Park.
The box draw for the 2018 Crocmedia National Sprint Championship State Final was conducted on track last night:
1. Nations Tony Rasmussen
2. Mepunga Gal Laurie Cahalan
3. Honcho Monelli Tony Rasmussen
4. Rachel Zane Kim Johnstone
5. Cairnlea Bella Petar Jovanovic
6. Pure Ability Neil Mann
7. Cairnlea Kenny Petar Jovanovic
8. Aston Abbott Troy Murray
9. Croydon Boys (res) Michael Stewart
10. Feral Lad (res) Kevin Murnane
With only the one heat for the Distance last night all starters progressed through to next week’s State final however the result suggested the series was not going to be a one act affair. Cairnlea Jet for trainer Petar Jovanovic produced an outstanding performance at only his second run over the staying trip to hold off series favourite Zudactyl Monelli for trainer Tony Rasmussen in the run to the finish. Cairnlea Jet was able to find the lead early with Zudactyl Monelli hot on his tail. Off the back straight Zudactyl Monelli levelled up and the pair produced a stirring battle over the concluding stages with Cairnlea Jet just hold off Zudactyl Monelli. He ran a sizzling 43.09 on a slightly rain affected surface which was a brilliant performance. “Zudactyl” lost no admirers and Springvale Choix ran another solid race into third place for Gavin Harris and looks to be cherry ripe for next week’s final. The box draw has again made the race an interesting affair with the start all important and all goes well for another outstanding decider next week.
The box draw for the 2018 Crocmedia National Distance Championship State Final was conducted on track last night:
1. Velocity Lilly Kim Johnstone
2. San Tan Sam Tony Hinrichsen
3. Pierce Bale Gino Grgurovic
4. Legit Boss Kim Johnstone
5. Springvale Choix Gavin Harris
6. Cairnlea Jet Petar Jovanovic
7. Max Jake Lauren Harris
8. Zudactyl Monelli Tony Rasmussen
9. Who Said That (res) Gino Grgurovic
10. N/A
Cairnlea Jet finishing strong in the Distance heat last night at Angle Park.
All states will be conducting their Sprint & Distance Finals next Thursday night in a huge coup for the industry. From 7.30pm local time to 9.30pm local time there will be full coverage including previews on Sky Racing 2 with normal coverage on Sky Racing 1. It makes for a great promotion of the series.
Each winner of the State finals next week will represent South Australia at the Crocmedia Group 1 National Championships to be run on Friday 24th August at Sandown Park.
