Richmond trainer Amanda Grice has learnt many life skills from her Mum, Margaret Rossendell over the years but the art of training greyhounds and the skill of placement in races culminated to perfection last night when the novice trainer picked up her first training treble at Launceston with Curragh, JandA and Gladis Grice.
The Tasmanian Derby Heats were her target and Curragh was the first to make the final leading through splits of 5.14 and 17.54 before winning by a half head from the Mick Louth trained Lisheen in a quick 29.83. Half Century ran third and his time of 29.89 was good enough to see him progress as well to the Final.
The second heat of the Derby, Grice sent around Hello Ay Jay and although this son of Big Daddy Cool ran a good race for second he was no match for the winner Posh Fire who scorched around the circle in 29.47 (5.05, 17.52).
Youngster Lorus Time for Debbie Cannan and Ted Medhurst continued on his rise through the grades in the Final Heat. Jumping from the red he also sizzled stopping the clock in 29.52 winning by seven lengths from early leader Kalispell. Rory Mac finished third (30.06) and qualified for the Final.
Box Draw for next week’s Rapidvite Tasmanian Derby:
- Curragh
- Rory Mac
- Kalispell
- Lorus Time
- Lisheen
- Hello Ay Jay
- Half Century
- Posh Fire
- Simpson’s Bay – 1st res
- Prescribe – 2nd
Heats of the Tasmanian Oaks were next on the card and while Grice didn’t have any girls competing the baton was handed over to good friends Lynne and Brendan Pursell to grab the limelight with their young pup I’ve Got You who settled well from the outside picking up early leader Loopy Lucy 5.10 before winning by 7 ½ lengths in 29.97. Keep Ya Promise and odds on favourite Hattie Bee made next week’s Final.
Ted Medhurst’s brilliant Demi Cali continued on her good form with victory in the second heat jumping from box two she stopped the clock in 29.90 beating Howzat Patsy by 2 ¾ lengths with Immortal Dream and Mavista Falls qualifying.
Box Draw for next week’s LGRC Tasmanian Oaks:
- Howzat Patsy
- Keep Ya Promise
- Hattie Bee
- Loopy Lucy
- Mavista Falls
- I’ve Got You
- Immortal Dream
- Demi Cali
- Double Bogey – 1st res
- Posh Renee – 2nd res
Amanda Grice then continued on her winning way with JandA (30.00) leading off the red and keeping favourite punters happy in the last leg of the UBET Quaddie and concluded with Gladis Grice winning the last by a ½ length in 30.10