Lismore Maidens Scorch The Loam
Eight exciting heats of the Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series were run and won on Tuesday night with some stunning performances on display from precocious pups.
As expected, the time standard was set by the Darren McDonald trained That's A Earn, who will more than likely start a short priced favourite in next week's $20,000 to the winner final. The box draw will be all important for the final, with many of the conveyances likely to benefit greatly for the experience of this week's racing.
HEAT 1
Cosmic Melody (Box 3) showed plenty of tenacity to take out the first heat in 24.69. After leaving the boxes only fairly, Cosmic Melody found herself midfield. Favourite Kidatee Josh (Box 2) took the early ascendency, mainly by virtue of the inside draw with Big Hindu (Box 6) looming large. Just as Kidatee Josh looked to have fought off most challengers, Cosmic Melody emerged from the pack. The Lyndall Massey trained daughter of Cosmic Chief and Yessam Melody bounded to the line strongly in the middle of the track to grab Kidatee Josh in the shadows of the post and become the first to book herself a place in next week's final, winning by half a length.
HEAT 2
Jessie Small (Box 4) improved sharply on her three previous career starts to land the second heat in style. Despite being dragged down as she crossed to the lead, the Peter Moss trained daughter of Collision and Oxley Falcon picked herself up and staved off all challengers to progress to next week's final. Slash Is King (Box 6) tried hard in second place but could only get within two lengths of the winner at the post. Jessie Small recorded a smart 24.45 for the journey and could well go quicker with a clear run.
HEAT 3
The Tony Brett trained Velocity Zoe (Box 3) finally showed what she is capable of when she scorched the loam to win the third heat in a blistering 24.09. Spearing from the white alley, the daughter of Mogambo and Velocity Thunder left her rivals in her wake as she stormed away to win by eight and three quarter lengths from Beau Allegro (Box 7) and Elite Alibi (Box 1).
HEAT 4
The fourth heat was decimated by scratchings with only six dogs facing the starter. Bon Zephyr lived up to his fast performance trial here last week, saluting in a classy display. Bippity Boppity (Box 6) found the front early but it wasn't long before Bon Zephyr took over and raced away. The Anthony Hess trained son of Surf Lorian and Abundia Boo registered 24.30 en route to his three and three quarter length victory. Truly Unique (Box 7) ran home well into second with Bippity Boppity (Box 6) hanging on for third.
HEAT 5
Heat five emphasised how important good box manners can be. Flash Reality (Box 7) began speedily from out wide, quickly taking the front and putting a space on his rivals and backed it up with the fastest run home of the night. Glorified Gee (Box 2) was also away well but couldn't match motors with the son of Premier Fantasy and Orara Flash. The hard luck story of the race may have been the first starter Tweed Ace (Box 6). He began tardily, just like he did in his performance trial. After finding a myriad of trouble he still managed to fly home for second. Considering that the winner ran home in a blistering 14.26, Tweed Ace is definitely one to black book for the future. Flash Reality sizzled on the clock, the Marlene Ellis trained dog completed the 420 metre trip in 24.02 and, if he can begin like that in the final, he could be a major player, especially given his superb run home time.
HEAT 6
The Jeffrey Cumming trained Agent Romanoff (Box 1) made the most of the rails alley to land heat six in 24.39. When the race favourite Silver Sticka (Box 2) wanted to use a bit of the track at box rise, Agent Romanoff was afforded plenty of space and used it with aplomb. The son of Cosmic Rumble and Rumble Parade appeared a little green at some stages during the run and may have scope for improvement with more racing. Agent Romanoff scored by two lengths, with My Awesome Opal (Box 6) and Jimary Vixen (Box 7) filling the placings.
HEAT 7
The most anticipated heat of the night did not disappoint when the Darren McDonald trained There's A Earn (Box 4) set the Northern Rivers track alight. The regally bred son of Where's Pedro and Nova Surf quickly took the lead and zipped away to score in 23.99. Beginning rapidly from the visitor's box, There's A Earn carved out the fastest first section of the night (9.63), which set the race up as a virtual solo trial. He careered away to win by eight and three quarter lengths from Kyarran Kid (Box 1) with Jimary Cougar (Box 8) in third.
HEAT 8
The final heat of the night produced the biggest upset of the eight heats. Tweed Chic (Box 2) began swiftly and showed her rivals a clean set of pads. The daughter of Velocette and Halzani improved greatly on her performance trial effort, winning by six lengths in 24.30 for Banora Point trainer Mark Johnston at the juicy odds of 25/1.
The box draw for next week's final was conducted traskside after the heats, and is as follows:
2013 K9 Reproductions Lismore Maiden Series Final Box Draw
- Box 1 – Jessie Small – Peter Moss – 24.45
- Box 2 – Velocity Zoe – Tony Brett – 24.09
- Box 3 – Agent Romanoff – Jeffrey Cumming – 24.39
- Box 4 – Tweed Chic – Mark Johnston – 24.30
- Box 5 – Cosmic Melody – Lyndall Massey – 24.69
- Box 6 – Flash Reality – Marlene Ellis – 24.02
- Box 7 – Bon Zephyr – Anthony Hess – 24.30
- Box 8 – There's A Earn – Darren McDonald – 23.99
- 1st Res – Tweed Ace – Mark Johnston – 24.29
- 2nd Res – My Awesome Opal – Grant Fennelly – 24.53
Reserves
2013 Lismore Maiden Series Heats Replays