A LURE breakdown caused havoc at today’s (Tuesday) Devonport greyhound meeting that boasted eight heats of the Devonport Cup.
The second heat (race three) had to be declared a no-race when the lure stopped midrace.
The course maintenance crew worked tirelessly for over an hour to repair the lure apparatus, eventually emerging triumphant with the meting proceeding almost two hours behind schedule.
The balance of the meeting went ahead without a hitch.
With the second heat being declared a no race, stewards, under the chairmanship of Shane Larkins, were required to draw a ballot for the final berth and that went to the Margaret Rossendell-trained Munich Monelli.
Of the eight interstate contenders only two, Gardam Price from the Darren McDonald kennel and the David Burnett-trained Shunted, made it through to next week’s final.
Gardam Prince was the fastest heat winner, clocking 25.66 over the 452 metres, while Shunted was third-fastest in 25.84.
Magra trainer Mick Stringer will have two in the final in Topline Doovee and Cradoc Park with Doovee stopping the clock at 25.87 and Cradoc Park 25.80, which was the second-fastest.
Others to earn a berth in the final were the Debbie Cannan-trained Accounts, Sting from the Anthony Bullock kennel and the Garry Johnson-trained Rulla Shaw that caused an upset in his heat that included Illingworth Classic and Tasmanian Derby winner Eagle Eye.