Great night of racing to kick off Easter weekend
The cold and wet conditions didn’t prevent a healthy crowd from coming along to an exciting night of racing at Angle Park with the EASTER Match Race Series being the highlight along with the Easter Cup over the 595m distance.
The EASTAR Match Race over the 530m trip has become a much-anticipated series on the calendar, showcasing eight of the best South Australian greyhounds going head-to-head in 4 enthralling match races with the overall winner of the series being the greyhound with the best overall time recorded.
The first match race was between up-and-coming star and Gawler Golden Maiden winner Could Be King for trainer Ben Rawlings and the Rob Harnas trained Molly Irish. As expected, Molly Irish began well clear of the bigger Could Be King, pinching a 4-length break to the first turn. Into the back straight, and Could Be King had shifted into top gear to loom up behind Molly Irish before powering past with what seemed like just a few giant strides! Molly Irish tried to stick with him but Could Be King was finishing far too well and went on to win the match race stopping the clock at 30.45 seconds.
The night’s second match saw two Rasmussen kennelmates go head-to-head in Miss Scallywag and Victa Speed in what was seen as a very even contest on paper and it certainly played out that way. To the first turn and into the back straight, the two runners were shoulder-to-shoulder before it looked like Victa Speed was just gaining the edge to the home turn. However, Miss Scallywag dug deep and used the rail draw to her advantage and was able to draw clear in the home straight to record a two-length win in 30.97 seconds.
Up next was the overall favourite for the series Ravers Army for Tim Aloisi who was up-against 2023 Greyhound of the Year nominee Springvale Max for Gavin Harris in what turned out to be a highly competitive and entertaining race. Springvale Max jumped slightly better to gain the early edge on the rail but Ravers Army showed great strength to draw up level to the back straight. Ravers Army looked to be getting the upper hand from here and appeared every chance to pull away but Springvale Max stuck to the task using his inside position to stay with the favourite. Ravers Army used all his strength, continuing to drive to the line to win by a half-length in 30.76 seconds in what was a fantastic race and an exciting finish with the greyhounds side-by-side from start to finish.
Our final match race for the night saw Springvale Roxy for Mike Giniotis and Queen Of Scotch for Tony Rasmussen line up with their sights set on surpassing the best time which was still Could Be King’s time of 30.45 seconds. Springvale Roxy began well from the inside box with Queen Of Scotch just behind and scouting wide to the first turn. Down the back straight and Springvale Roxy still managed to keep Queen Of Scotch at bay but was threatening out wide to go past the leader towards the home turn. Springvale Roxy however, wasn’t going to let her get past and kicked on to win over a gallant Queen Of Scotch in the night’s second-fastest time of 30.64 seconds. Queen Of Scotch was very impressive and her time of 30.73 seconds placed her third overall.
The overall winner of the series, Could Be King continues to from strength to strength for trainer Ben Rawlings with his record now standing at five wins and two placings from 9 career starts for just over $21,000 in prizemoney. Still a youngster, the big black son of Spiral Nikita and My Kinda Song turns two on the 21st of this month and looks to have a promising career ahead.
The night’s other feature race was the Easter Cup over the 595m trip, a feature that always provides an entertaining race for punters with this year’s race no exception.
After two entertaining heats last week, Vadim Roz’s Yarramundi Paul was sent out as the favourite in an evenly matched final which featured 2022 Gawler Gold Cup Victa Reid for Lisa Rasmussen who set the early pace from box 6 along with Fantastic Luna for Elizabeth Chegia from box 1. With Tomato Tears for Tamica Dunn hot on their tails, Victa Reid and Fantastic Luna took it in turns out in front with who had the lead and turning into the home straight it was neck-and-neck. Fantastic Luna appeared to be gaining the upper hand half-way down the home straight before a late burst from Victa Reid saw him win the race in 34.59 seconds ahead of Fantastic Luna and Tomato Tears who was still pushing home hard for third place.
The win brought Victa Reid’s record to 26 wins from 97 starts and just over $117,000 in prizemoney earnt over an impressive career.
