SA Launching Pad Final Review
SA's Launching Pad Series is always a great showcase of some the State's best young greyhounds and the 2021 edition was no exception with the Final held last night at Angle Park.
After 3 fantastic Heats last week, it was an even and talented field that was assembled for the Final with Gemtree Maximus for Paul Rehmann, Silver Stone for Ray Murray and Rosie Red for Bosco Stamenkovic all making claims to be race favourite while the likes of Bedrock Fred for Cherylee Barber and Victa Reid for Lisa Rasmussen certainly weren't going to let them have it all their way.
However, once the lids went up, it was Gemtree Maximus who showed once again that he is a star in the making and immediately stamped himself on the race. Beginning brilliantly from box 3, he pinched the lead to the first bend and from there it was always going to be tough for the rest of the field to catch him. As he extended to a length lead in the back straight, Rosie Red stuck to the task and chased the leader hard as did Victa Kurt and Victa Reid while Silver Stone started to move up to the home turn. However, Gemtree Maximus had done enough and was able to keep a flurry of fast finishers in Rosie Red and Victa Reid at bay long enough to claim a great all-the-way win in 29.75 for connections.
Rosie Red ran gallantly pushing the leader the entire trip, finishing strongly to almost pinch a win while Victa Reid was similarly impressive running on strongly to the line.
The son of Worm Burner and Lochinvar Akira, Gemtree Maximus has now qualified for the Heats of the Group 3 Launching Pad Series at Sandown on March 18. Well done to trainer/owner Paul Rehmann and owner Rebecca Weinert and good luck in the upcoming venture over the border.
