SA National Finals at Angle Park
2014 NATIONAL DISTANCE AND SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP
SA SERIES – REVIEW
TOKEN MCLAREN HEADING WEST FOR THE DISTANCE
An outside box, strong field of stayers and the uncertainty whether Token McLaren could recapture his best form were some of the things that would have been running through master trainer Don Foster’s head just prior to last night’s Distance Championship SA Final. However 43 seconds later those thoughts were a distant memory as his star stayer booked his place in the National Final in Western Australia with a brilliant performance.
In a strong field Token McLaren began better than most expected from his wide draw to race midfield as both Jacko Lankan and Genghis Kahn raced away out in front. His main challenger from the Jovanovic kennel in Psychotic Gold had missed the kick and was back near the tail of the field. Entering the back straight the son of Token Prince and Stevie McLaren had moved nicely onto the tail of the leaders, stalking them and ready to pounce. On the apex of the bend Token McLaren exploded to the front racing away for a stirring victory to claim the winning prize by over 5 lengths in a slick 43.18. Psychotic Gold lost no admirers after coming from a mile back to run second with kennel mate Defib Daryl running a solid race into third spot.
Nine months ago Token McLaren was the toast of SA racing running some of the fastest times recorded over the staying trip at Angle Park however illness and adversity have restricted the Foster star to limited preparations in recent times. However it is a credit to Don Fosters training abilities and the courage of Token McLaren that has seen him rise to victory in the West End Distance Championship in March and now the State Final of the National Distance Championship last night establishing him as the best stayer in the State.
Token McLaren has now won 23 races with 18 placing’s from 51 starts and almost $55,000 in prizemoney. He will represent SA at the National Championships to be held at Cannington in WA on Saturday 23rd August and we wish him and his connections the best of luck.
WILD SOUL UPSTAGES HIS RIVALS IN THE SPRINT SERIES
Wild Soul upset his more fancied rivals in last nights State Final of the National Sprint series and will now join Token McLaren on the plane to Perth.
The Kim Johnstone trained Wild Soul was sent out at double eachway odds last night in a hot field of the Sprint Series which represented unbelievable value for a greyhound who has carved a reputation as one of the most consistent and strongest sprinters in the State. With his more fancied rivals Sidney’s Shadow, Kalden Gambino and Cairnlea Layla all finding trouble on the first turn the race looked to be in Wild Soul’s keeping as he landed second entering the back straight just of the heels of surprise leader Sporting Tears for Steve Meimetis. A brave Sporting Tears couldn’t hold of the brilliant finishing burst of Wild Soul as he raced away in the final straight for a comfortable win by 2 ½ lengths in a brisk 29.91. Sporting Tears held on well for second with Sidney’s Shadow railing hard to claim third spot.
Wild Soul has now won 20 races from 48 starts, with 17 minor placings and almost $50,000 in prizemoney. Both Kim and Wild Soul will now be chasing Group 1 glory in WA later this month and we wish them the best of luck.