2021 Kate's A Scandal Xmas Sprint - Review
The 2021 Kate’s A Scandal Xmas Sprint was run last night at Angle Park with Stout Monelli for Tim Aloisi taking out his second feature event in the space of 7 days. After claiming the inaugural Ashes Feature last week worth $20,000 to the winner Stout Monelli banked another $10,000 last night for connections in a brilliant display of speed and stamina at headquarters.
In a select field of five, of the best sprinters in the state, the son of Barcia Bale and Corona Monelli started a well-supported favourite in the time honoured feature. Stout Monelli began well from box 6 to push forward to the first turn. He joined Fantastic Victor for Ossie Chegia and Victa Grosso for Tony Rasmussen in a line of three just of Fly For Trix for Jane McNicholl who pushed hard along the rails to gain the initial lead. Foresaken for Neil Mann dropped in behind the group of four as they charged to the first turn.
Out of the front straight and due to some crowding Fantastic Victor and Foresaken were put out of play leaving the big three in the market as the only winning chances left. Into the back straight and Fly For Trix was out in the lead with Stout Monelli in second and making ground to his inside while Victa Grosso looked to follow through Stout Monelli. Off the back straight and Stout Monelli had hit the front from Fly For Trix while the big danger was looming as Victa Grosso was hot on his heels. Into the front straight and Stout Monelli was flying in the lead as Victa Grosso came to his outside to issue a challenge however Stout Monelli kicked on in the home straight to go on and win in comfortable fashion by 1 ¾ lengths from Victa Grosso who tried hard with a further 2 ½ lengths back to Fly For Trix. His time was a slick 30.33 for the 530m journey with Thursday nights heats of the SA Sprint Championship his next target. Stout Monelli is owned and trained by Tim and now boasts the impressive record of 43 starts for 23 wins and 14 placings with earnings just over $211,000.
The race last night was named in honor of one of the best sprinters ever to come from South Australia. Kate’s A Scandal was owned by Gayle Brown and trained by Howard Gray and in 1981 she was considered the best sprinter in the country. She won 15 consecutive metropolitan races which at the time broke a 30 year record culminating in the 1981 National Sprint Championship held at Olympic Park in Victoria. Injury plagued throughout her career she retired in late 1981 with the impressive record of 18 wins and 6 placings from just 33 starts. Kate’s A Scandal was also named Greyhound of the Year that year.