2019 SA St Leger Final - Box Draw
There were three fantastic heats conducted tonight at Angle Park where greyhounds qualified for next week’s prestigious 2019 SA St Leger final.
The first heat was taken out by the Kirin Corby trained Red Rock who continued on his merry way winning his 4th race in a row. Only lightly raced but full of ability Red Rock began fairly from his inside box and whilst he found a slight bit of traffic early once he moved to the outside down the back straight he motored home strongly. He defeated Shima Mart for Tony Rasmussen who lost no admirers in second place after he missed the kick and had to work hard to find the lead off the back straight but could not hold of the powerful finish of Red Rock. Red Rock ran 29.99 for the 515m journey with splits of 4.51 and 17.28.
The second heat was taken out in sensational fashion by Victa Ashley for trainer Mike Giniotis. Victa Ashley began well from his inside box but was challenged strongly down the front straight by Shimando for trainer Tony Rasmussen. Shimando was almost able to cross but as the turn came up Victa Ashley pushed through hard and was able to spear away entering the back straight. Victa Ashley was low flying off the back with nothing able to make ground. Victa Ashley charged down to the line to run a blistering 29.55 with splits of 4.41 and 16.65 becoming the fastest qualifier for next week’s final. Shimando was brave in defeat for second while Premier Double for Troy Murray charged home late in an impressive performance taking some ground of the leaders.
The third and final heat saw Love Made Me for Troy Murray, the omen bet on Valentine’s Day book her spot in the final after she charged home over the concluding stages for a strong win. As the start was effected Eedee Keepsake began well from the inside draw for Kirin Corby with Love Made Me in the middle and Victa Caleb for Mike Giniotis all charging forward to the first turn. Victa Caleb pushed hard and crossed into the back straight, Eedee Keepsake who was second began to give ground as Love Made Me crossed her and set her sights on the leader. Jack Get Back for Ken Trowbridge started to make ground from midfield after a fair beginning. Off the back straight Victa Caleb was going strongly however Love Made Me was making good ground. As heads turned for home Love Made Me ranged up on the outside of Victa Caleb and wet home a bit the better for a good win.
She ran a sizzling 29.74 with splits of 4.51 and 17.14 with Victa Caleb in second and Jack Get Back running home well into third.
Its shaping as a super race next week for some of our most promising young chasers who will hopefully take the next step into open company in the coming months. Good luck to all connections concerned.
The box draw for the 2019 SA St Leger final was conducted on track tonight:
- Premier Double Troy Murray
- Shima Mart Tony Rasmussen
- Jack Get Back Ken Trowbridge
- Love Made Me Troy Murray
- Victa Ashley Mike Giniotis
- Victa Caleb Mike Giniotis
- Red Rock Kirin Corby
- Shimando Tony Rasmussen
- Ebby Lamar (1st Res) Colin Swain
- Agent Thirteen (2nd Res) Ben Rawlings
The $10,710 St Leger final will be run Thursday night 21st February. The race is listed to jump at 9.10pm (SA time) and will be race 8 on the program with full coverage on Sky Racing 1.