TALENTED trainer Shane Whitney is no stranger to securing multiple winners at a meeting in his home state but in Hobart last Thursday night he notched a personal best with four winners on the 11-race card.
His quartet of winners comprised Black Rip in a 340-metre free-for-all; Brutal Force in a grade five; Bit Hot Rusty and Izon Destruction also in grade five events.
Black Rip had been sidelined with injury but bounced back with a vengeance leading all the way and scoring by eight lengths clocking a handy 19.52 .
“I was very happy to see Black Rip do what he did first-up from a three-month lay-off,” Whitney said.
“He was strong over the concluding stages and that was very pleasing and he’s pulled up a treat,” he said.
Black Rip will be aimed at the Devonport Cup in January.
Brutal Force began well in his race from box five and found the lead a the top turn and went on to score convincingly from Shotgun Annie and the luckless Lakerville.
“Brutal Force is no star but he is consistent and you always know you are going to get an honest performance so he is a much valued member of the kennel.”
While Whitney was pleased Brutal Force was able to secure another win (third) it was hard not to notice the run of the favourite Lakerville.
The Mick Stringer-trained dog virtually fell out of the boxes wearing the green vest but made up ground so quickly that he ran into the back of the pack nearing the top turn and almost fell.
That usually spells the end of a dog over the sprint trip (461m) but Lakerville was able to regain his composure and ran on resolutely in the home straight to finish third and he was taking ground off the winner at the rate of knots.
Izon Destruction earned a crack at the Hobart Thousand with an impressive win from box eight in a strong grade five.
The Robert Gourlay-owned bitch began fairly from box eight but mustered speed so quickly she was able to cross the field and lead at the top turn.
She went on to score by three lengths from Fantastic Spiral with It’s Crunch Time six lengths away third.
“Robert (Gourlay) came to me about eight weeks ago and asked if I’d be interested in taking a couple of his team because he was wanting to give up training and concentrate on breeding and racing them,” Whitney said.
“I have always had an opinion of Izon Destruction sho I said she would be the first one I’d have and she is doing a great job.”
“I’ve changed a couple of little things around with her training regime and she seems to be responding.”
Izon Destruction clocked a handy 26.23 over the 461-metre trip which has convinced Whitney to nominate her for the Group 1 Hobart Thousand heats to be run this Thursday night.
The same plan applies to Bit Hit Rusty that finally delivered on the promise he showed early on by leading throughout wearing the blue vest and scored by seven lengths in a strong grade five event.