TOP trainer Ted Medhurst had no qualms about declaring Bell Haven the best stayer he has prepared after she scored an effortless win in a heat of the Chinatown Lad series at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night (Thursday).
Bell Haven not only won as she liked but she also established a track record for the 709 metres in the process.
The Head Bound-It’s A She bitch stopped the clock at 41.33 seconds to obliterate the previous best of 41.98 set by Miss Hetti in April.
While it was only the third race held over the 709-metre trip it would appear the only local likely to break her record time is Bell Haven herself when she steps out in next week’s final.
“She is going really well and doing everything right,” Medhurst said.
“She is clearly the best stayer I’ve trained.”
“She is running records or near records every time she’s gone around so we couldn’t be more pleased,” he said.
Bell Haven is owned and raced by Debbie Cannan and Russell Milner who has had some very good dogs over the years.
Milner owned No Intent that won a Topgun final in Melbourne.
Bell Haven gave nothing else a chance in her heat last week, leading from the outset and set up her record time with an impressive middle split of 18.51.
She hit the line 2-1/2 lengths clear of Beaudine that is regarded as one of the best staying prospects in the state with the consistent Fortune Ate over six lengths away third.
Medhurst said Bell Haven was not certain to head to the Winter Distance Championship series in Launceston after this series final.
“She’s only a young bitch that’s new to this caper so you don’t want to bang them around too much so I’ll make a decision about whether we head to Launceston for that series closer to the time.”
“Her main mission is the National Distance Championship so I have to do what I think is best for her in that regard,” he said.
The remaining heat was won by Medhurst’s other promising young stayer Collyn Tiger that scored by over two lengths from the Doug Cassidy-trained Paper Trail with Len Howard’s Harry’s Pick almost four lengths away third.
However Collyn Tiger’s time of 42.12sec was about eight lengths slower than his kennel mate’s.
Bell Haven was sent around the $1.70 favourite in her heat but after drawing box one in the final she is likely to be at prohibitive odds on Thursday night.
Beaudine was game in defeat and his powerful finish will certainly make him a danger if he doesn’t find too much trouble from box five.
Ming Dynasty, last season’s star stayer and Tasmania’s representative in the National Distance Championship in Brisbane, only just scraped into next week’s final with a fourth to Bel Haven,
But she is starting to get back into form and trainer Susan Gittus should have her cherry ripe for the National Distance series.
Ming Dynasty has drawn box eight next Thursday night and is a definite place chance.