The Week That Was
The North West Greyhound Racing Club programme at Devonport Wednesday rounded out a most successful year for the Club.
The North West Animal Hospital Semi-Finals of the Breeders Classic took top billing for the week.
The Pat Ryan-trained Hetti’s Produce made it four wins from five starts on the track scoring by a head over She’s A Fernando in the fastest Semi, running a personal-best time of 25.62 from box eight for owner Scott Bryan.
Destini Fireball – Miss Hetti littermate Dolly Does It was Scott’s second winner of the day, the consistent Margaret Elphinstone-trained bitch has been a finalist in many of the Classics throughout the Year without taking the spoils.
Dolly Does It improved her best time at the track sharply, carving six-lengths of her previous best time running 25.77 seconds to account for Buckle Up Vomo by a half-length.
Fernando Bolt racked up his ninth win at start 21 for David Crosswell with an impressive performance to defeat Buckle Up Maria by 2.5 lengths in 25.94 seconds while littermate Fernando Magic finally cracked it for its maiden win after an explosive effort to topple The Butch Deverell-trained Reiki Master.
Stars of the Week
Devonport (Wednesday)
Buster Emery – Looked desperately unlucky in the first Semi-Final of the Classic when severely hampered going into the first turn. ‘Buster’ was about to storm to the lead when the incident occurred leaving him languishing at the tail. It will pay to follow to follow the Richard Stamford-trained Barcia Bale – Ethel Horner chaser in the New Year.
Roll Call – Put up an amazing effort to win race one for favourite punters. The Pat Ryan chaser was in search of his third win when there was tightening going into the first corner which caused the greyhound in front of him to fall. Roll Call never missed a beat pole-vaulting over the top of the faller and then gunning down the leader to record a great win.
Two Bills – Continued his amazing run of form for Shane Whitney to blitz a class field in a scintillating time of 25.30 seconds to win by seven-lengths in preparation for a tilt for the upcoming Devonport Cup.
Hobart (Thursday)
Tommy The Jett – Followed in the paw marks of its littermates Rusty and Bobby at Devonport with an impressive victory for owners Tyrone Whittington and Greg Sprod. The Russell Watts performer was having only his second start and will be further improved by the experience, winning by 2.5 lengths.
Aqua Cheetah – The Seona Thompson-trained The Hobart Thousand Consolation winner proved too classy for his opposition in the top grade event of the night, running 26.19 seconds to win by a length from Casio Lad and High Treason.
Woosha – The Rick Martin prepared galloper gained a start as the reserve and jumped in front from box four, leading throughout for a courageous victory over Runout Babe to notch up the eleventh victory of its career.
Tasracing Official Prices
Devonport (Wednesday)
Rusty The Jett – Start of a successful week for the Jagger Swagger – It’s A Jett litter. The Russell Watts chaser was kept safe in the betting easing marginally from $3.60 to $3.80 before racing to its first victory in a smart 26.14 seconds, winning by 2.25 lengths.
Fernando Magic – The David Crosswell chaser has had more than his share of issues throughout an 11 start career, but after running seven placings and throwing away the Launceston Breeders Classic Final he defied a drift from $5 to $6 to take the Semi Final in powerful fashion.
Lucky Linc – Despite coming off a last start Launceston Invitation victory the Tony Keogh chaser was friendless in the betting in Grade 4 company. Lucky Linc drifted from $13 to $16 and gave a great sight before being run down by Beau Wonder to be beaten a neck.
Hobart (Thursday)
Doran’s Echo – The Rachael Moate-trained chaser took its record to four wins from six starts despite easing out from $2.90 to $3.30, winning by a length in 26.50 seconds.
Straw Cowboy – The Clinton Tapp speedster was the medium of solid support which saw it shorten from seven’s to sixes before sprinting away with the 340-metre dash in a slippery 19.71 seconds.
Miny Mo – Completed back to back wins for trainer Allan Clark, running down Fink Racer in the stretch after trimming up from $2.70 to $2.60 at the jump.
Feats of the Meet
Devonport (Wednesday)
Double – Trainer – Pat Ryan – Roll Call, Hetti’s Produce.
Double – Trainer – Russell Watts – Rusty The Jett, Bobby The Jett.
Double – Owner/Trainer – David Crosswell – Fernando Bolt, Fernando Magic.
Double – Owners – Tyrone Whittington & Greg Sprod – Rusty The Jett, Bobby The Jett.
Double – Owner – Scott Bryan – Hetti’s Produce, Dolly Does It.
Double – Owner – Craig Cassidy – Manila Sal, Beau Wonder.
Double – Litter – (Jagger Swagger – It’s A Jett) – Rusty The Jett, Bobby The Jett.
Double – Litter – (Destini Fireball – Miss Hetti) – Hetti’s Produce, Dolly Does It.
Double – Litter – (Fernando Bale – She’s All Class) – Fernando Bolt, Fernando Magic.
Hobart (Thursday)
Double – Sire – Fabregas – Straw Cowboy, Miny Mo.
Best First Splits
Devonport (Wednesday)
452-metres – Silent Boloney (5.91), Jack’s High (5.92), Lucky Linc (5.95), Gold Lenny (5.95), Manila Sal (5.97), Hogwash (5.99).
Hobart (Thursday)
340-metres – Straw Cowboy (5.14), Destiny’s Gem (5.16), Lashing Harry (5.17), Rivenlee Lad (5.20), Ricson Flyer (5.20), Tah Penny (5.20), Punch Day (5.20).
461-metres – Doran’s Destiny (5.01), High Treason (5.10), Buckle Up Alex (5.10), Offen Charles (5.12), Aqua Cheetah (5.13), Woosha (5.13).
The Week Ahead
The Animal Hospital Breeders Classic Final at Devonport is the highlight of the week ahead.
David Crosswell has three chasers from the Fernando Bale – She’s All Class team through to the Final with Hetti’s Produce and Dolly Does It representing the mating of Destini Fireball and Miss Hetti.
Buckle Up Wes – Jamila Flex littermates Buckle up Vomo and Buckle Up Maria both qualified running second while Reiki Master also became a finalist when second to Fernando Magic.
Watch Rock Up Top snare Rob Britton’s third Hobart Thousand Classic in a thrilling four-way finish.