News Article

Record crowd expected for Hobart Club’s big night

24 / 08 / 2012 Article by: Editor
Miata on her way to smashing the 599-metre track record in a solo trial in Hobart last Thursday week
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A RECORD crowd is expected to pack Tattersall’s Park in Hobart tonight for the running of the National Sprint & Distance Championships for Australia’s to greyhounds.

The Hobart Greyhound Racing Club and Tasracing have worked tirelessly to ensure the event is a success and with the best fields assembled in each of the Group 1 events there is no doubt anyone with the slightest interest in greyhound racing will be focused on this meeting tonight.

The key attraction is sure to be champion West Australian bitch Miata that is often referred to as the “Black Caviar” of greyhound racing and she contests the National Distance Championship (race 5 at 6.28pm).

Miata will start from box six and if she begins well and misses any interference at the first turn there is no doubt she will be the one to beat and even if she finds trouble the long straights on the Hobart U-turn track will give her every chance to overcome any minor mishaps in the run.

But she has the local bitch Bell Haven (Ted Medhurst) on her outside as well as the Graeme Bate-trained Irma Bale in box eight that already has a win over Miata in Group 1 company to her credit this year, so the $1.35 favourite will have to be at her best to emerge triumphant.

Bell Haven is usually a slick beginner and has speed to burn early so she is likely to lead.

If that eventuates she will make play for a long way and trainer Medhurst has managed to improve her stamina so she could be being hailed the winner when they turn for home.

Irma Bale was beaten in her state final but gains a start as the Wild Card entry but deservingly so.

NSW representative He Knows Uno produced an unbelievable performance to win his state final and should he replicate that effort tonight he looms as a genuine winning hope.

He Knows Uno suffered multiple checks and setbacks in his state final but he dug deep over the concluding stages to emerge triumphant.

Bell Haven’s litter brother Jethro, prepared by Butch Deverell, made his way into the race courtesy of finishing second to his litter sister on the Tasmanian state final but he is the track record holder over 709 metres and should he gain a trouble-free passage he will make his presence felt at the business end of proceedings.

The National Sprint Championship is a more open affair with NSW representative Exclusive One (8) expected to be hard to beat.

He is unbeaten from six starts on the Bulli track that is a similar circuit to Hobart, which is why Greyhound Racing NSW opted to stage their series at that venue.

Exclusive One is only a new kid on the block have started only 13 times for 10 wins but he is a very exciting chaser and is a deserving favourite at around $3.

Victorian Fabregas (7) also is new to the game but his record of 11 wins from 12 starts speaks for itself and should he turn on the gas in the run to the top turn he will be a major player at the business end of proceedings.

Queensland’s Glen Gallon is a seasoned sprinter with 21 wins from 39 outings and only needs clean air to the top turn to make his presence felt where it counts.

Oaks Road (NSW) is the wild card entry and while he is drawn awkwardly in box four he has an excellent record of 20 wins and 16 minor placings from his 49 starts so he too warrants respect.

The Tasmania duo of New Recruit (1) and Rob Pines (6) are each drawn on the wrong side of the rail but both have class and a lot of experience on the Hobart circuit, especially New Recruit and his trainer Mick Stringer is sure to have him at his peak for this assignment that starts at 7.25pm (race 8).

Peter Staples tips for both finals.

National Sprint:

1 – Exclusive One (8).

2 – Fabregas (7).

3 – Glen Gallon (5).

4 – oaks Road (4).

National Distance:

1 – Miata (6).

2 – He Knows Uno (5).

3 – Bell Haven (7).

4 – Irma Bale (8).