Youngster Takes Out Ladies Bracelet
Timmy Caines was the happiest man on course at Wentworth Park last Saturday night when his talented sprinter, Miss Beeslee, defied all attempts to run her down in the final of the Alan Evans Jewellery Ladies Bracelet.
Sent out an $8 chance with the bookies, it was widely expected that Miss Beeslee would lead, but opinions were divided as to whether she would be able to hold on against the two sub 30 sec heat winners, Queen Lauryn and Tricode Flojo.
Miss Beeslee began brilliantly and was able to lead easily after the favoured runners found trouble early, and despite a mammoth performance from the favourite Queen Lauryn was able to prevail in a driving finish, to win by half a head.
Queen Lauryn, the current Wentworth Park track recorder holder; fell victim to the Lorna Moira curse from her box 6 draw. Lorna Moira, a noted “crasher”; had drawn the same box she did in the Golden Easter Egg final and gave a similar display; beginning fairly and crashing left from the start. This squeezed Queen Lauryn out behind Lorna Moira and Good Odds Judy, but she recovered to put herself in position about 5 back and wide on the first corner.
From there she made good ground to move to third by the time they reached the 520 metre boxes and headed for the judge. Queen Lauryn was finishing as well as she did when she took out the Group 2 Futurity Final at Albion Park earlier this year, but just as she looked like she was going to swamp Miss Beeslee; Tricode Flojo moved off the fence and took her legs from under her.
Although Queen Lauryn managed to balance up again and chase resolutely to the line, Miss Beeslee had done everything right out in front and greeted the judge first. The win was the first Group Success for the greyhound and her ecstatic young handler, who handled the occasion with the confidence and dignity of a seasoned performer.
Miss Beeslee is raced and trained by Pam Caines she is a brindle bitch whelped September 2005 by Collision from She Sprant (Token Prince x Kellbrett Jeanie). Miss Beeslee has raced 45 times for 10 wins and 14 placings and the $25,000 first prize took his stake earnings to $45,675.
The Ladies Bracelet was first conducted by the GBOTA at Harold Park over 500 yards in 1971 when won by that mighty little brindle sprinter Shapley Escort. The event is open to the best 32 bitches nominated and the Final of the event is always conducted on the Saturday eve of Mother's Day every year. The trophy is a beautiful ladies bracelet/watch and has been donated by the sponsor Alan Evans Jewellery for the past few years.
The feature was held at the GBOTA's head quarters until 1987 when the track was closed for greyhound racing. It moved to Wentworth Park in 1988 and has been won by some famous bitches over the years. Gold Spring won the race in successive years 79/80 plus AGRA Hall of Famer Winifred Bale in 1983. Other brilliant greyhounds to win included Mandarin Girl, Camden's Ghost, Jessica Casey, Short County and Victorians Amy's Doll and Mutombo Miss.
Listed below is the full honour roll.
Harold Park – 457m – Grass Track: 1971 SHAPELY ESCORT 26.50, 1972 SHANE'S MONARO 26.50, 1973 THUNDER SUE 26.51, 1974 MAYBE NOW 26.73, 1975 SWANKY MATIC 26.68, 1976 MANDARIN GIRL (V) 26.62, 1977 NIMITY STREAK 26.95, 1978 SMOOTH SPECTRE 26.38, 1979 GOLD SPRING 26.42, 1980 GOLD SPRING 26.60, 1981 JUDO ART 26.57, 1982 FRIENDLY WORLD 26.38, 1983 WINIFRED BALE 26.50, 1984 BETTER FLIGHT 26.47, 1985 SILVERTAIL MISS 26.61, 1986 CAMDEN ‘S GHOST 26.26, 1987 PARIS IN SPRING 26.56
Wentworth Park – 520m – Grass Track: 1988 AUSSIE VALUE 30.23, 1989 PEERLESS STAR 31.11, 1990 SPIDER WEB 30.56, 1991 JESSICA CASEY 30.17, 1992 SHORT COUNTY 30.37
Wentworth Park – 520m – Loam Track: 1993 AMY'S DOLL 30.74, 1994 STORMY OPERA 30.62, 1995 MUTOMBO MISS 30.53, 1996 FLASH DAVINA (VIC) 30.39, 1997 ORIANA 30.22, 1998 LUCY LAWLESS 30.16, 1999 NELLA LUCY 30.52, 2000 JUNOESQUE 30.21, 2001 MINT MOJO 30.47, 2002 HOTSHOW LIL 30.49, 2003 ERISKAY 30.27, 2004 FOOLS STATE 30.59, 2005 TWISTED ANGEL 30.17, 2006 MAGENTA ROSE 30.56, 2007 BRALYN MAISIE 29.90