SILENT GIGGLE made an impressive start to the Vets Medley Series in Hobart last night (Thursday) with a gallant last-stride win in her heat over 599 metres.
The Loretta Luttrell-trained bitch was sent out a short-price favourite and she had those who took the short odds holding their breath as she tried to gun down the leader Megastar Spargo all the way up the home straight.
But in the end it was her courage that got her home, scoring by a neck from Megastar Spargo with Monahan Bully a closing third.
The Vets Medley Series comprises two rounds of heats over different distances with the top eight point scorers from the two rounds to progress to the final over 599 metres.
The field for the final is determined on a points score basis with 11 points for first, eight for second and six for third diminishing by one point through to seventh with no points for last.
Silent Giggle has struck peak form and Luttrell says she will be just as competitive over the shorter trip of 3461 metres in the second round of heats.
“To get into the final you have to win at least one of the heats so we’re off to a good start,” Luttrell said.
“She is so courageous and we saw that tonight the way she chased Megastar Spargo down in the straight.”
“She copped a bad check early and overcame that and then to recover and run a personal best over the trip is very pleasing,” she said.
Silent Giggle is owned by Len Harley who purchased the bitch as a pup in Victoria.
Luttrell says Silent Giggle is very versatile and will be just as competitive over the sprint journey in the next round of heats.
Silent Giggle covered the 599-metre trip in 34.63sec that was well inside her previous best (34.70).
Bullock takes fresh approach with Classic Camdale
The Anthony Bullock-trained Classic Camdale made a great return to the middle distance in Hobart with an emphatic win in his Vets Medley heat.
The son of Collision began well from box six and had the leader Shafah Tiger (1) in his sights as they sped down the back stretch.
Classic Camdale hit the front rounding the top turn and then sped clear and went on to score by almost two lengths from Shafah Tiger with the heavily backed favourite Miss Hetti a closing third a neck away.
Bullock said his attempt to keep the dog fresh for the event paid off.
“The dog is much better suited on the Launceston track, probably because the lure isn’t loud enough here in Hobart but he’s done a good job to win,” Bullock said.
“It’s been a while since I’ve run him over the 599m so he’s bound to improve at his next couple of runs here (Hobart),”he said.
Bullock expects the dog to be as good over the sprint trip in his second-round heat.
“I’ve kept him away from this track to keep him fresh for this series and so far it’s worked out well,” he said.
Shanlyn Charlie blitzes rivals
Shanlyn Charlie was impressive in winning his heat, scoring by 7-1/4 lengths and in a time of 34.75s.
The Graeme Moate-trained dog began well from box eight and settled second behind Whitney’s Rose that has two lengths on them by the time they hit the first turn.
Shanlyn Charlie moved alongside the leader turning for home and when he slipped into overdrive he left his rivals in his wake.
His acceleration was impressive and would only need to take the same form into his next heat over 461 metres to accrue enough points to progress to the final on May 17.
Hellyeah Reggie motored home after suffering interference early from the inside box and he could be a contender for the final and Miss Astro also made up good ground over the concluding stages to finish third.
Intense Suspense shines for Ransley
Rod Ransley only has a handful of dogs in his kennels at Brighton but what he has is quality and that was evidenced by the effort of Intense Suspense to win his heat of the Vets Medley Series.
Intense Suspense (Where’s Pedro-Cold Ethyl) was having only his third start in Tasmania for Ransley but this was clearly his best effort.
He jumped well from box eight but not as quick as Hellyeah Kristy that flew the lids wearing the black vest and landed two lengths clear at the first turn.
But when Intense Suspense closed in to make a race of it Ransley’s dog put the end result beyond doubt within a blink of an eye.
Intense Suspense went on to score by seven lengths from Western Ruby that worked home nicely after being near last nearing the top turn while Rocket Tadmore finished off well to grab third a head away.
Intense Suspense stopped the clock at 34.69s which was the second best of the five heat winners.
Wynburn Jet flies high in Medley heat
Wynburn Jet picked up maximum points when he proved too strong in his Vets Medley Series heat.
The Sandy Elphinstone-trained dog had only modest form going onto the race but when he moved alongside race leader Bosco nearing the top turn he quickly put the end result beyond doubt.
Wynburn Jet (Big Daddy Cool-Swift Azz) had good form early in his career, especially over the middle distances in Hobart and Devonport.
His form is not as good over the sprint trips but he only has to get a wide box at his next outing to be competitive.
Proven Lotus stuck to his guns to hold down second and earn decent points while Peter Pines made up many lengths in the home straight to grab third with Bosco tiring over the final 50 metres to cling to fourth.