Canya Striker Chasing Leigh Rogers Glory
Canya Striker Chasing Leigh Rogers Glory
A terrific final of the 2024 Leigh Rogers is set to be run this Thursday night following some excellent heats last Thursday.
Last week's heat winners were One Two Me (30.67), He’s Magic (30.81), Bourne Model (30.73), Dakota Mila (30.63), Canya Striker (30.92) and Starburst Candy (30.92).
It’s an intriguing set up for the race with a healthy balance of speed and strength engaged. One chaser with an imposing back split on him is the Tim Richards trained Canya Striker, who has been simply brilliant in both of his starts here in South Australia.
Arriving from Victoria in late September, he had shown ability having won over the distance trip at Sandown Park, but since coming here he has also shown that he can sprint well enough to be a powerful force over the 530m trip.
His first up run at Murray Bridge was terrific, where he overcame significant interference to win with a terrific finishing burst, before winning by a widening four lengths in 30.10 and it was an effort that did not come as a real surprise to Richards, following the early trials under his care.
“He was one of Nick Lalli’s dogs and I spoke to him about three months ago to see if he had anything for sale. He said we might have and then I rang him back two months ago and he said he had this one (Canya Striker) for sale, so it went from there. A mate of mine purchased him.” said Richards
“We trialled him at the Bridge and he trialled quite well, I don't know how quick the track was or whatever but we gave him a ‘455’ and then we gave him a ‘530’ and he went 30 flat, so I thought he was up and about and ready to go.”
“He got into a bit of trouble like he did against those other dogs Thursday night, he’s really just toying around at 530, he’s really a 700m dog.”
Last week, Canya Striker lined up from box one and made the most of the slightly reduced field. After jumping a bit slowly, he mustered up quickly but then found a lot of bother around the first turn. Despite this, he picked himself up easily and really powered through midrace and powered home over the top to win impressively in 30.94. That win was made all the more impressive given it was his first look at the track.
“He had never been there (Angle Park) before. It was his first look and he looked a bit tentative, but once he got wound up (he was alright). I think he will be better for the run, early pace will be the problem. We need a bit of clear air, if we can get within five lengths of the dog out in front and we have clear air, then we will see what he can really do.” said Richards
“The time wasn’t very quick (last week) but I’d like to think he’s probably three or four lengths better than that having had a look.”
It’s been a good week for Canya Striker with the young chaser ready to go for the final. Richards says he is only young and expresses that youth at home around the kennels.
“He’s only a pup, he’s just two years old. If you pull up with the car and walk another dog he will bark at you and tell you he wants to go. He’s just a really nice dog, a big pup. If we can keep him sound and everything goes well then he’s got a good future ahead, but that’s all a hypothetical.” said Richards
Canya Striker has drawn a bit awkwardly for the final with box six and given it’s a full field he will be needing some early luck with his lack of speed. Some of the key chances in the race have a lot of early speed with Dakota Mila and Dakota Darcy being two of those, so there is a scenario which may see the son of Shima Shine x Joyful land himself in a close enough position early, which Richards will be pleased to see.
“I am happy with box six for sure.” said Richards
“I’m happy with the draw, from box six he can let them all go to the fence and he can do his work on the outside of them.”
The first race is set to start at 6:37pm and the Leigh Rogers will be run at 8:16pm local time.