National Straight Championship This Sunday
South Australia will be represented strongly in the National Straight Track Championship this Sunday at Capalaba in Queensland. We saw the running of the SA National Straight Championship final last week at Murray Bridge. The race was extremely even on paper and only three lengths were separating all seven greyhounds across the line. South Eastern visitor Urana Meat Loaf was the leader for a majority of the trip but was eventually run down by the winner My Names Craig and He’s All Purpose who ran second. The first two across the line have now earnt the right to compete in the National Straight Track Championship this Sunday.
My Names Craig is trained by Lewiston trainer Ben Rawlings. This greyhound doesn’t posses a huge amount of early pace but the way he finishes off races on the straight track is simply breathtaking. His last four race starts have been on the straight track where he has scored three wins. He won his heat when he ran down the speedster Patched in an impressive fashion two starts back. His run in the final last start was nothing short of phenomenal when he showed a turn of speed late in the race to win and run a time of 19.26 over the 350 meters. He only began racing in South Australia in September after coming over from Victoria. He is owned by the Beach Worm Capital syndicate which is managed by local greyhound fanatic Tyson Panagiotou. I’m sure every member of the syndicate will be watching very closely on Sunday.
He’s All Purpose is trained by Meningie trainer Tim Richards. This greyhound has only had the 18 starts but he has had a very impressive career so far. Tim stated that making this final “is probably a little ahead of schedule” with the greyhound still being in very early stages of his career. He’s All Purpose took out the Tab Country Cup on Adelaide Cup night back in October. Tim didn’t expect him to win that race at that time “because he was still very young and trying to learn his trade but he has been going very well. He has a good future ahead of him at this rate”. Tim trialled him up the straight track a week before his heat which was his first look. His final win was only his third look at the Straight track but Tim mentioned that “his breeding background which allows him to run over a 530 meter distance around the circle track has helped him over the 350 meters on the straight track because you still have to be reasonably strong to run that distance up the straight”.
Tim stated that if He’s All Purpose “can get some clear air from box four and be with them midfield it will suit him very well”. Tim also stated that former Adelaide trainer Kevin Munane has him in queensland and “is doing a really good job with him. He trialled at Capalaba on Sunday just to get use too the drag lure and the grass surface. He improved off his first run in his second trial on Wednesday”. Tim stated that his greyhound is up against some really strong competition but he also keen to see how he goes. “We are the long shot but he has travelled well and he looks very comfortable up in Queensland. Kevin Murnane spoils his greyhounds and is doing a great job with him”.
The $37,000 final will be run this Sunday Afternoon at 3:32 SA time. It is race eight on the program at Capalaba. You can watch the race on Sky Racing One and hopefully both of our SA greyhounds can put in a strong performance against the interstate greyhounds.
Photo: My Name's Craig winning his final heat for the National Straight Champs
Credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography