Gun McBain wins 2014 Champion Puppy
2014 CHAMPION PUPPY REVIEW
A nice crowd was on hand at Angle Park last night to witness the running of the 2014 Champion Puppy final. The race has a lot of history attached to it for the best young pups of their generation including the likes of Head Honcho in 1992 and last years winner Ernie Bung Arrow who went onto win the Group 1 Adelaide Cup and become a cult hero amongst greyhound racing fans.
Last night’s field was full of quality with the “Coulta” dogs from the kennels of Victorian trainer David Curtain taking on the best of the locals. In a spirited betting contest the punters had narrowed down the main players to three, Gun McBain for Todd Kelly from box 1, Footluce Diva for Ken Trowbridge from box 2 and Coulta Rock out of box 4 for David Curtain. At box rise however the brilliant early dash of Gun McBain for Todd Kelly had the race in his keeping as they hit the winning post of the first occasion. The son of Spring Gun and Flame McBain exploded out of the boxes in a blistering 4.43 to the first turn and extended his lead down the back straight. Both Footluce Diva and Coulta Rock found plenty of trouble early putting pay to their winning chances. In the meantime there were no dangers to Gun McBain who went on to record his 11th win from 20 starts including 6 placings and prizemoney in excess of $16,000 in a solid 30.02 for the 515m journey. He defeated Dyna Motley by 4 ¾ lengths who continues to impress at only his third start for Wendy Matcott with Coulta Rock flashing home for third a further 2 ½ lengths way.
Todd Kelly and his Spring Gun x Flame McBain litter are having a terrific run with seemingly the kennell having winners at every meeting they compete at and again highlighting the quality of the SA Bred greyhounds in SA and on the National stage.