2019 SA St Leger Final Review
It was the 41st running of the SA St Leger last night at Angle Park with a very prestigious honour roll which now includes exciting young chaser Premier Double trained by Troy Murray. With the likes of Head Honcho, Lion Hearted, Worm Burner, On Fire and last years winner Victa Louise some of the biggest names in greyhound racing on the list, Premier Double’s performance last night suggests he has a very bright future on the track.
Owned and Bred locally by Kirin Corby the Dyna Double One x Irish Keepsake flyer drew box 1 in the feature final and as the start was affected began well to sit just off the pace. Shima Mart for Tony Rasmussen exploded out of the boxes to lead clearly with Jack Get Back for Ken Trowbridge, Victa Caleb for Mike Giniotis and Shimando out wide for Tony Rasmussen all pushing forward to the first turn. With some crowding on the first turn Shima Mart skipped away from his rivals entering the back straight while Premier Double pushed through to second on the inside while Shimando made ground around the outside to third. Both Victa Ashley avoided trouble for Mike Giniotis and made ground close to the rails while Red Rock was pratted wide but began to chase hard. Off the back straight Shima Mart was full of running and going strongly with Premier Double holding down second ahead of Shimando and Victa Ashley with Red Rock beginning to motor home. Turning for home Shima Mart was beginning to shorten stride with Premier Double charging home and as they hit the line Premier Double was doing a little the better on the outside to win by a neck in a sizzling 29.62 for the 515m journey. Shima Mart was brave after making all the running while Red Rock was an eye catcher into third along with Love Made Me for Troy Murray who also ran home strongly from a mile back into fourth.
On the dais a very happy Troy Murray paid tribute to the efforts of owner Kirin Corby who bred and reared Premier Double. Premier Double has now won 9 races from his 18 starts and 5 placings with career prizemoney around $18,000.