VICTORIAN-OWNED greyhound Her Highness caused the biggest upset on the 10-event card in Launceston last night when she powered her way to victory in the Division One final of the J. G nelson Cup.
The Keith Nichols-trained bitch displayed her usual, good box manners from the inside alley and that proved to be the telling factor in her comfortable victory over the 515-metre journey.
Australian Cup winner Buckle Up Wes was sent out the short-priced favourite ($1.50) from box seven but when he met interference approaching the first turn and the second favourite Hellyeah Bolt also copped a bad check, Her Highness took advantage.
Her Highness slipped clear along the rails and set up a handy lead and she was able to maintain that advantage in the run to the line. scoring comfortably from Gemstone Jack and Little Miss Take.
Her Highness (Bartrim Bale-Witch Fantasy) has been a model of consistency, racing through her grades with this latest victory her eighth from 15 starts for Nichols and she also has notched four minor placings.
Her Highness is owned by Paul Westerveld who has been sending dogs to Nichols for many years.
Nichols said his star bitch is likely to now head to the state heats of the National Sprint Championship in Launceston in a fortnight.
Buckle Up Wes finished last but escaped injury from the incident so he should progress to the state heats of the National Sprint Championship.
“He pulled up well so I’ll probably give him a trial somewhere before the heats of the Nationals,” Medhurst said.