2019 Doug Payne - Review
The 2019 SA Bred Doug Payne Feature was run last night at Angle Park with Axel Footluce producing his best form when he was able to lead throughout to defeat a high quality line up in a minor upset.
Prior to dispatch the market was dominated by Alfieri for Bill Wudarczyk and Coorong Lucy for Cameron Butcher with many feeling it was a two dog race with which ever one led the likely winner. However sent out at the juicy odds of $23.00 Axel Footluce had other ideas with the son of Kinloch Brae and Footluce Diva pouncing on the early lead as the boxes flew open. Alfieri missed the start and Coorong Lucy was caught wide putting pay to both their chances. Into the back straight and Axel Footluce was going strong in the lead after sustaining the early pressure from Allinga Jess for Yvonne King who began smartly. Allinga Mal also for Yvonne King started to make good ground down the back straight passing his kennel mate. Rounding the home turn and Axel Footluce was in full flight going down to the finish line as an easy winner by 5 lengths in a blistering 29.61 for the 515m journey. Allinga Mal secured 2nd just ahead of kennel mate Allinga Jess who both ran gamely. Gemtree Dynamo for Irene Rehmann ran a solid race in 4th while the two favourites did not fire in the 6 dog feature.
Axel Footluce is Owned by Ken and Melissa Trowbridge and was bred locally by Melissa. He is a former Group 1 winner after winning the National Derby in NSW back in February so it is no surprise when he puts it all together he can match it with the very best. The $7,495 first prize took Axel Footluce’s prizemoney to just over $140,000 with a career record of 17 wins from 50 starts including 18 placings.
Doug Payne is one of only three South Australian’s inducted into the GCA Hall of Fame and is recognized as an icon of SA greyhound racing. He was a true ambassador for the industry winning the first three Adelaide Cups in 1972, 73 and 74 in addition to winning 14 training premierships.
