Schaffer Dominates Feast Of Staying Races At Casino
In a rare occurance, three staying races were contested at last Friday's meeting, and they were dominated by local trainer Daryl Schaffer who landed two of the winners.
Daryl's breed all seem to handle the staying trip, and it was no surprise to see Brooke Trip land the money in the Vietnam Veterans stake. She won by a half head, and ran 36.00 seconds.
Kennel mate Madeleine Trick, who has a promising future, led all of the way in the following race, and recorded 35.72. All of her three wins have been at Casino where she is very adept on the grass surface.
The remaining staying feature, in which Daryl did not have a runner, went to Battle Brother who came from well back get the prize. Regular track watchers would have noted his strong run at the last meeting, and relished the odds of better than 2/1. The Garry Streatfield trained runner ran 35.99, and won by 3 1/4 lengths.
Strong sprinter Andad's Boy put up a “Herculian” performance to win the HMAS Sydney stake for Jeff and Gloria Smith. A clear last from the traps, he threaded his way through the field to get into the race going to the top turn. He just refused to give in, and released a strong sprint over the final stages to score by a length, clocking a very creditable 23.28. Jeff commented that the dog gives him a “heart attack” with his slow beginnings.
Back To Ireland scored his second win from as many starts at Casino in taking out the RAAF stake. Having his first “go” at the 484 metre journey, he was soon in the lead, but on the circle was challenged by Absolute Style who momentarily grabbed the front. Showing great tenacity, Back To Ireland came again to get up by a neck in 27.71. Bob Humphrey trains the winner for Vince O' Connell.
The Blue Paws Final was an exciting affair with heat winners Maxie's Charoit and Kelsey Kate going to the line together. Maxie's Chariot who had the rails draw, held that advantage in a photo finish to win by a head in 27.62. The winner, who is a Blue Paws nominated greyhound, is prepared by Neil Falls for some local identities, and celebrations may have continued for some time into the night.
Sobbing Princess finally broke through for Syd Schofield after some close seconds to run 23.36 in the Ranvet maiden, whilst her half brother Super Trump Flight made it two on the trot when he arrived in the best time over the sprint course – 23.12. Peter and Helen Simpson put the “polish” on him.
The Tweed to Casino final was won by Keith Boan's Nikita Delight who got the better of Kee in a two dog “war” while Mavis Wilkinson's well bred Mark Ethon got up in the last stride in the Mc Donald's Pharmacy maiden.
Casino Cup placegetter Kay Size State won the remaining event, the Casino RSM Club Free For All for Troy Sharpe and Jim Osborn. She led vitually throught and clocked 27.45.
Casino race TAB again this Friday afternoon with another great day's racing assured.