FORMER Queensland greyhound trainer Patrick Ryan could notch a feature race win with only his third starter in the state if Slash The King can win next week’s Tasmanian Country Derby at Devonport.
Slash The King scored a sensational win in his Tasmanian Country Derby heat yesterday, sizzling over the 452-metre trip in 25.39 that was clearly the fastest of the two heat winners.
The son of Gardam Prince showed terrific early speed after leaving box six cleanly and once on the bunny he held a clear advantage to the home turn and went on to score by almost a length from the in-form Barnes Bay with Gemstone Jack a length away third.
Ryan was delighted with the win and said the dog had enormous potential and would improve on what he did in his heat.
“I couldn’t be happier with this dog’s effort but we always knew he had what it takes to do what he did today,” Ryan said.
“I must admit I was a bit disappointed with his first run in the state at this track last week but second look at the track he obviously was familiar with the surroundings and he really delivered,” he said.
Slash The King was trained and owned in Queensland by Adam Hines who sent the dog to Ryan specifically for races such as the Country Derby.
“Adam (Hinds) thought he would be suited to the U-bend tracks (Hobart and Devonport) and there are some nice races here for him over the next two months so hopefully he can win his share before he returns to Queensland,” he said.
Slash Is King has drawn box one for the final and given his good box manners the dog is likely to start favourite.
Last week’s Illingworth Classic winner Kalaway Ernie won the other heat leading all the way in a time of 25.48.
Despite coming off a brilliant win in that race punters sent him out a $5.20 chance owing to a swag of money coming for Varcoe that tumbled in to start favourite at $1.50.
Kalaway Ernie began well from box seven and eventually crossed to the fence and stretched his lead to the home turn and went on to score by almost five lengths from Varcoe that overcame early trouble to run home strongly with Great Taylors and Buckle Up Barney running third and fourth respectively to make it into the final.
The first four placegetters in each of the two heats earned a berth in next Tuesday’s final over 452 metres.