Victa Grosso wins first semis of Produce Series
The second round of the Gawler Produce Series for greyhounds, was contested on Sunday night, with two Semi-finals being run. To qualify for the Final, it was essential to finish in the first four in each race, so there was a very keen interest in the results.
The first Semi-final saw Kelly’s Missile from box 4 sweep to the front around the first turn, to take the running over Spring Driven(3), Far More Crazy(1) and Victa Grosso (8). As they headed to the back corner, Kelly’s Missile was galloped on from behind, and suddenly the complexion of the race changed. Victa Grosso hit the front and ran strongly to the line, winning by 1½ lengths over the fast finishing Victa Haydn (6) and Spring Driven. Victa Grosso ran 31.09 secs in winning for Tony Rasmussen of Murray Bridge, who also trains Victa Haydn, while Spring Driven is trained by Lisa Delbridge from Victoria.
Semi-final number two had Gemtree Maximus (7) fly around the first turn to take the lead, and down the back straight opened up a good break of four lengths over Victa Reid (1) and Fantastic Victor (5). Victa Reid finished too strongly for the others, and won in convincing style by 3½ lengths in the time of 30.98 secs, over Gemtree Maximus for Paul Rehmann of Murray Bridge, and Victa Daryl (8) was third. Training honours for these two “Victas” was with Lisa Rasmussen of Murray Bridge.
Also qualifying were the two fourth placed runners which were Spring Lilac for Vadim Roz of Lewiston, in Semi-final number one, and in the second it was Fantastic Victor for Barry Stewart of Glengowrie. Last night the box draw was conducted on course, and the final field is
1. Spring Lilac Vadim Roz
2. Fantastic Victor Ossie Chegia
3. Victa Haydn Tony Rasmussen
4. Victa Daryl Lisa Rasmussen
5. Gemtree Maximus Paul Rehmann
6. Victa Grosso Tony Rasmussen
7. Victa Reid Lisa Rasmussen
8. Spring Driven Lisa Delbridge
9. Jack’s Well (1st Res) Cameron Butcher
10. Far More Crazy (2nd Res) Des Hockley
The Rasmussen family will have four runners and will play a big part in the Final, but in an even field, and with different box draws, everyone has a chance in this Final. The old maxim of “you have to be in it, to win it” is very true, and the Gawler Club wishes every runner and its connections, all the best for the race.
It will be a big night of racing next Sunday, which not only features the Produce Final and the Consolation race, but also a special Anniversary Cup to celebrate 50 years of racing at Gawler. Bookings for meals are essential, so please contact the Club on 8522-2935. Racing will also be on Friday and Tuesday afternoons next week.