SA Stars compete on the national stage
It’s been a big weekend for some of our South Australian greyhounds, who have been able to represent the state proudly in New South Wales as part of the Nationals Series. The event continues to rise in popularity each year, and this year we were treated to a real spectacle, with the National Straight Track final running on Saturday morning before the Sprint and Distance final were run on Saturday night.
The National Straight Track Final took place at the Richmond Straight Track, a stunning grass surface which provided a real spectacle. South Australia was represented by I’m Gifted Too and He’s On Fire who both won their way over there, after running top two in our state final. After drawing ordinary boxes against the best straight track dogs in the country, both of them were going to be up against it. I’m Gifted Too found some trouble early and couldn’t quite get into the race after that, whereas He’s On Fire ran fantastically and was able to finish third! just two lengths off the winner. He’s On Fire showed his brilliant box manners and landed in front early, but was slowly worn down by some very powerful dogs. It was an admirable run and one that would have made his trainer Tim Richards very proud.
The next South Australian on show on Saturday was Fantastic Radley, who went around in the National Distance final at Wentworth Park. It was a tough task drawing box eight against some high quality stayers, and when he received a solid bump on the first turn it was mission impossible. Radley had to sit wide the entire trip and twice his run was stopped when starting to make ground. Whilst he only finished fifth, it was a terrific effort as he finished alongside some very good stayers in the form Know Keeper (NZ) and Gypsy Wyong (VIC). I have no doubt we will see him back here in South Australia winning races in a couple of weeks.
Last to go was Fly For Trix after he took out the South Australian final as a rough outsider. The National Final was an absolute ripper with some of the fastest dogs in the country engaged and with Fly For Trix drawing a tricky box in five, it was going to be a tough job. He left the boxes well and mustered beautifully, to find himself running third early behind the two favourites. As they went up the back, Fly For Trix was making a move and was shut out for a run as he was all over the leaders. He had to peel four wide around the home turn which allowed the leaders to sneak away, as Fly For Trix ended up running fifth, just a few lengths off a very impressive winner. It was a brilliant run from Fly For Trix, who may well have just convinced his trainer Jane Mcnicholl to take him back for the $100,000 Masters Meteor race which is coming up soon at Wentworth Park.
Well done to everyone involved in the Nationals and of course our local trainers and dogs for making the long trek over to Sydney. To see our local stars compete so well against the country's best is fantastic and hopefully we can do it all again next year!