Five Anniversary Cup finalists for Price
Still chasing his first Anniversary Cup win, Compton greyhound trainer Tracie Price’s chances now look pretty good after yesterday’s Tara Raceway meeting where five of his runners qualified for Thursday’s 36th Anniversary Cup final (512 metres).
The closest he has come to Anniversary Cup success was in 2014 when Who’s Doing What gained a run as a reserve in the final and was narrowly beaten into second spot by Amadeus Strikes in 30.10 seconds.
The Price-trained Charming Charlie surprised in the second of two heats when he knocked over a top field including kennelmates Spring Cuervo and Tandiki who ran second and fourth respectively to also qualify for the final.
A $15 chance, despite a fast-finishing third behind the first heat winner Dusseldorp at the previous meeting, Charming Charlie still had plenty of work to do down the back before finishing strongly in the home straight for a length win in 30.25 seconds.
Raced by father and son team Warwick and Nathan Guy – Gippsland dairy farmers – the February 2018 son of Dyna Double One and Wilma Bale has raced on only 11 occasions after an interrupted start to his career.
Charming Charlie, following a first-up win at Sale, was subsequently run off the track and brought to a virtual standstill by a wayward greyhound at Sandown Park before falling at the same track and then injuring himself at Sale.
Four months later the fawn dog found himself at Compton, things so far running somewhat smoother at Tara Raceway where he has raced on six occasions for three wins and three minor placings.
Price also has Rocketline and Double Love through to the final, the pair well back early in heat one before running third and fourth respectively behind Dusseldorp, a neck winner over Perseverance in 30.28 seconds.
Dusseldorp was one of three winners on the day for the Nineofus Syndicate and Allendale East trainer David Peckham – Fantastic Flame and Our Man Zed also successful on the nine-race program.
An odds-on favourite in the Bourne Kennels Stake (512 m), Fantastic Flame – chasing her first win at the track – quickly settled into second spot behind Our Menace, taking the lead turning for home and running out a three-quarter length winner over an improved Our Menace in 30.35 seconds.
Our Man Zed recorded a personal best time of 22.91 seconds when leading all the way to defeat kennelmate Keen One by 3½ lengths in the Trackside Meats Open Stake (400 m) and in doing so brought up Peckham’s 75th win this year at Tara Raceway.
Next Thursday’s meeting will also feature the running of the John Reid Memorial Maiden (512 m) and the Eric Lewis Memorial.
There will be catering on-course in the form of a barbecue, along with bar facilities, however TAB betting at Tara Raceway is not expected to be operational again until Thursday, August 6.
Charming Charlie finishes strongly to defeat Spring Cuervo and Rock It Fernando in the second heat of the Anniversary Cup at Tara Raceway yesterday.
A treble for the Nineofus Syndicate and Bourne Kennels. Pictured: Kevin “KD” Douglas (Our Man Zed), David Peckham (Dusseldorp) and Christine Yourgules (Fantastic Flame).