Sparks fly in Straight Cup Heats
Tuesday (Straight Track)
Vadim Roz was an unusual winner for the first of the day on Tuesday with Tyrion Lannister breaking through for his maiden win. Terrific Molly started a very warm favourite in the race, but Tyrion Lannister was a bit too good. He was able to lead with a solid 4.49 first split and was never really troubled on his way to the 16.85 gallop. Vadim has got his team starting to perk up now and I suspect there's a few more winners close by.
Charlie Brother won very well for his trainer Jason Dolan, defeating a good field in a quick 19.13. It’s been a good training effort from Jason, with the dog running well last week in his first start in 5 months, before going even better on Tuesday. He’s not too far away from Masters grade and I reckon he will have a lot of fun when he gets there!
The Weblec Ace and Mepunga Blazer Straight Track Cup heats were simply awesome, with some terrific races and fast hounds on show! Fantastic Victor got the job done in heat 1, with a quick all the way 19.01 effort. His first split of 6.88 was deadset flying and he was a bit green up the straight, so I think he has a bit to come yet! The Mexicans took out heat two, with Victorian visitor Major Cyclone winning for his trainer Brian Hodgson. It was a tough effort with a few bustling for the lead, but class prevailed as he found the front and held off Aston Marlon in 19.02. Heat 3 went to Winner’s Win who was just brilliant with his barnstorming victory. He came out ordinary and found himself behind a wall of chasers, but was very smart in waiting for his run and allowing his ability to take over, getting past them all late. The Straight Track star, Aston Olenna was excellent in the last heat, winning in 18.92 which was the quickest of the heats. Usually he is a faultless beginner, but got it wrong early and was near last - and you probably could have written him off from there! He was simply brilliant though, getting past a couple of good ones to storm home late. The final on Tuesday will be absolutely brilliant and a must watch for any greyhound fans!
Mr. Dazzling, who is also from Victoria, won in a very fast 16.37 which was also BOD. It was a very professional performance for a dog having his first look at the track, spearing out in a very slick 4.37 first split, before powering away to win by 2 lengths.
Dog to follow: South Song - I quite liked his run on Tuesday, showing improvement from his first start on the straight. He ran second behind a fast winner, but was striding out quite nicely and hit the line well. He should be winning up the straight pretty soon.
Friday (1-Turn)
It was another Dave Peckham masterclass on Friday, with three impressive victories. He took out the first race of the day with Midnight Blast, who broke through over the 530m trip after some consistent efforts. Captain Larry made it two for Dave as he used box 8 to perfection over the 395m trip, with a slick 5.00-22.13 run, before Maximum Refusal gave them a real beating over the 680m trip, winning by a dominant 6 lengths. A terrific day out for Dave!
Troy Murray also had a ripping afternoon at the Bridge, scoring a double. Shall Not won in a BOD 22.04 for the 395m journey, showing the brilliant pace that he is known for, which took him to the front and he was never in trouble thereafter. Wizardry Things then got back onto the winners list, using box 1 really well over the 455m distance. He railed excellantly to push underneath the leader as they hit the top turn, before running away in 25.49.
Lauren Harris scored two winners as well on Friday. Finniss Whisper was the first one with the honest bitch finally breaking her maiden. She had to use some smarts to get past the leader, but did so quite nicely before winning in 22.38. I like the way she goes about it and think she will be a handy bitch in the future. The old boy Danyo’s Charlie was much too good in his race over the 395m. He was only fairly away but showed his class midrace before powering away late in 22.24
Dog to follow: Correlate - Impressed me on Friday when going down by a length to the pretty handy Spring Drama. It was only her second run past 400m and it was a really brave effort. Showed early pace but was crossed by Drama, before Correlate ran wide on the turn, yet still kept coming, running 25.75 herself. Suspect she’s in a grade 6 next week and she should be hard to beat.