Burrett with a ray of optimism before Launching Pad heats
The annual Launching Pad which is staged in Melbourne every year is the most prestigious race for young dogs in the country, and every year it brings the very best to come and compete, with this year no exception. South Australian trainer, Ed Burrett will have a hand in the series with two dogs that he owns and trains running in the $150,000 to the winner series. His two chances are made up of Charlee’s Misty, who is a recent acquisition to the kennel and won her way through to the series after taking out the South Australian series, whilst Let’s Win Coin will also have a crack, after a successful stint in South Australia. Both of the dogs are in the care of Jason Sharp in Victoria, as they prepare the three week series. Charlee’s Misty flew over last week, whilst Let’s Win Coin was already in Victoria, preparing for a Victoria campaign.
“I said to Jason (Sharp) that if Misty gets the ticket then I will buy another for her (Let’s Win Coin). She was already settled in over there.”
“They’ve both settled in well, they are very easy to train, they’re straightforward and don’t do anything wrong, very professional.”
With the early organisation, both dogs have had time to trial at Sandown Park, with Ed happy at the way both went.
“She (Charlee’s Misty) had a trial there last week and will probably stay there until the series is over. She trialled 5.20-19.30, it wasn’t good but she trialled average before the Launching Pad in SA so I wasn’t worried. Let’s Win Coin trialled pretty good, she went 5.08-19.00 to the back. She’s a rough chance but she’s got box five. She will stay there after the series.”
It’s been quite the whirlwind for Charlee’s Misty, with Ed only purchasing the white and brindle chaser a few weeks ago, before now lining up in a series as prestigious as the Launching Pad.
Photo: Ed speaking with Lachlan Stace after his SA Launching Pad two weeks ago
Credit: Tim Stoeckel
"We had been trying to buy her for a month or two, I asked her (Minnie Finn) two months ago and they said they wanted her for breeding, but Marty Hallinan rang them and said they have a heap of pups coming, so they decided to sell.”
“I liked her strength and she was a bit more consistent early, not fast early but has decent box manners. She will probably run 600 too.”
It’s been talked up as one of the hottest versions of the series, with Ed in agreeance.
“I’d probably say it’s the strongest series ever, if you look at it, Wow She’s Fast has already won the Phoenix and then Amron Boy and Big Opal Rocks. There's probably about ten dogs that could potentially win group races out of the sixty.”
Charlee’s Misty will not only be Ed’s first runner at Sandown Park, but also his 100th starter as a trainer, with Ed optimistic that she can run top four and go through to the next round.
“I think she (Charlee’s Misty) can run top four. I had a quick look at the field, Wow She’s Fast is obviously hard to beat but the three gets up the track a bit and the two should lead her, so she might get that slot in. I’m just worried about when she rolls off because she runs out to the lure. Let’s Win Coin is $41 and think she's a rough chance of pinching a place, if she can go 5.05 early then you never know, I don’t think there's much speed in that race.”
Ed is currently in Queensland on holiday with his family, and will have to make do with watching from the pub.
“We’re actually meeting up with Gabbi’s (Ed’s partner) sister and her boyfriend. I think we’re going to the pub so we’ll probably watch race two there then maybe the other on the phone!”
Charlee’s Misty is in race two on Thursday Night, box #1 jumping at 6:55pm SA time.
Let’s Win Coin is in race eight, box #5 jumping at 8:59pm SA time.