THERE’S no substitute for experience and that was the case with the outcome of the opening race on the 11-event card at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night (Thursday).
Mick Stringer had two from his kennel engaged with first stater Director wearing the red vest while Misty Sky, that had aced the starter four times, had to start from box six.
Director began brilliantly and held sway to the home turn while the others jostled for a spot from which to launch at attack.
Director (Icy Popsicle) was the medium of a plunge, firming from 4.10 to start $2.70 favourite while Misty Sky (Where’s Pedro-Tamra) eased in the betting from an early quote of $2.90 to start the $3.60 second elect.
Stringer said Misty Sky had been unlucky not to have won at her second outing.
But in the next race it was a case of the litters turning the tables with Director’s litter brother Captain Cosmic scoring an emphatic win in his juvenile over 461 metres, scoring by five lengths from Winklee Storm with Midnight Butch over a length away third.
Captain Cosmic and Director are owned by their breeders Karlene Cuthbertson and Sally Wilson who continue to produce classy chasers.
Jetaway (Where’s Pedro-Tamra) couldn’t replicate the effort of his litter sister as he was slowly away and kept running into dead-ends for most of the race.
Stringer said he is getting Captain Cosmic, Director and one other from the litter ready for the Breeders Classic in June.
“Captain Cosmic showed above average ability from day one so what he did tonight didn’t surprise me,” the trainer said.
Cuthbertson said she has enjoyed greyhound racing immensely since she opted to delve into breeding and racing.
“I am really pleased with what these pups from Icy Popsicle are doing and hopefully they can go on and win some nice races,” Cuthbertson said.
“Sally (Wilson) and I have put a lot of work into the breeding side of the business.”
“It’s been a steep learning curve but it also has been a lot of fun,” she said.