GOOD box manners is a trait all greyhound trainers value in their kennel tenants which is what owner-trainer Paul Donaldson has a lot of time for Dixie Lane.
At the TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston tonight Dixie Lane delivered the goods in the Hotel Patrons Middle Distance Championship over 600 metres.
Dixie Lane (Velocette-Annabelle) made her way into the final with a brilliant win in her heat and her time of 35.69 was clearly superior to the other heat winner Ireland’s Force that won his het in a time of 36.16.
Class Barbie ran second to Ireland’s Force but after drawing the inside box he was well backed to touch $2.60 close to race start time but when the big money came for Ireland’s Force he tumbled in to start the $3.10 favourite ahead of Dixie Lane ($3.20) and Class Barbie ($3.30).
Dixie Lane began brilliantly to find the lead at the first turn with Class Barbie hot on her heels, while Ireland’s Force got tangled up in a duel with Bailey’s Comet and Pedro’s Vineyard.
Dixie Lane extended her lead down the back stretch and had plenty to spare when she hit the line clear of Class Barbie with Pedro’s Vineyard hanging on for third ahead of Ireland’s Force.