CLAREMONT based greyhound trainer Geoff Kennedy identified Joker Jones as a potential star from the first time he slipped the pup on the Hobart track and at UBET Park last night the son of Spring Gun delivered the goods in a semi-final of the HGRC Breeders Classic over 461 metres.
Joker Jones debuted in a heat of the Breeders Classic and caught the eye with a fast-finishing second to Wynburn Witness that led throughout and clocked a time of 26.13 with the margin only three quarters of a length to give Joker Jones a time of 26.18.
He missed the start from box one in his heat but from box four last night he began with them and barged his way to the rail but then pushed the favourite Local View out of the way to get to the outside of the leader nearing the home turn.
Joker Jones stormed to the lead and had enough in reserve to hold out Local View that made up good ground over the concluding stages.
Meanwhile, the Gary Fahey-trained Supreme It Seems also was impressive in winning his semi-final.
Supreme It Seems began well from box five and once on the lure he sped clear and was never headed on his way to a comfortable win over the favourite Miss Stylist.
Supreme It Seems (Lochinvar Marlow-Becky Baba) was second to Miss Stylist in their heat last Saturday but when the favourite found trouble early in last night’s semi-final Fahey’s dog capitalised and set up a winning break.
Burnie trainer Ben Englund could not be happier with Wynburn Witness that won his heat defeating Joker Jones and came out last night and delivered another brilliant performance to win his semi-final.
Wynburn Witness (Magic Sprite-Hayley’s Girl) settled second after a scrimmage at the home turn sent the odds-on favourite Keune back through the field to last after being galloped on from behind.
Belluci had tracked wide from box seven to the home turn but when he stayed off the rail it allowed Wynburn Witness to rail through and she proved too strong for Belluci over the concluding stages.
Wynburn Witness stopped the clock at 26.26 which was the fastest of the four semi-final winners.
Englund has two finalists as Wynburn Witness’s litter brother Wynburn Warrant clinched a final berth by finishing second to Regent Lois in their semi-final.
Top trainer Ted Medhurst also has two finalists in litter siblings Miss Stylist and Local View (Barcia Bale-Miss Roman Nose) that both finished second in their respective semi-finals.
The first two placegetters in each of the four semi-finals progressed to next week’s final with the two fastest thirds named as the reserves.
Box Draw for next Thursday night’s final:
1 – Supreme It Seems.
2 – Belluci.
3 – Joker Jones.
4 – Wynburn Witness.
5 – Local View.
6 – Miss Stylist.
7 – Regent Lois.
8 – Wynburn Warrant.
Reserves:
9 – Wynburn Whisper.
10-Wynburn Lucre.