Smart Betsy Lives Up To Her Name
Nowra greyhound Smart Betsy has shown she has a bright future taking out the $20,000 Laurie Healion Memorial Maiden over 520 metres at Wentworth Park.
Bred and trained by John Tyrrell at Nowra, Smart Betsy ($1.50) lived up to her name with a commanding six length victory over Perfect Molly ($8) and Mr Jinx ($4.40).
And the 21-month–old bitch ran a great time of 30 seconds flat for the 520m journey.
The daughter of Bombastic Shiraz and Awesome Berger was in scintillating form in her two heat runs and kept that form going in the final.
A proud John Tyrrell said he was thrilled with the win and his young charge's run.
“It was a good win, she had a brilliant run.”
Smart Betsy jumped well out of the one box, but found herself fourth early.
She forced her way through to the rails and set about building up a lead and by the first turn she was a length and half clear.
She then skipped away up the back straight to be out by five lengths coming into the home turn and went on with it to win by six and a half lengths.
“She really ran well and her time of 30 flat was pretty hot for a maiden,” Tyrrell said.
“It was the fastest time of the night including the free for alls.
“It was certainly a thrill to have a dog that we have bred, broken in and now trained win a big race.
“She will hold a special place for us that's for sure.”
“My father George and son Rad are also heavily involved and it has been a thrill for all of us.
“All the hard yards of breeding, rearing and proper education have fallen into place and paid off.”
He said he plans to give his new young star two weeks off and then decide what her future holds.
“Who knows,” he said.
“It's a week by week proposition, we'll just see how she comes up again after the spell.
“There are plenty of races out there for her.
“There is a Dapto auction race ($50,000) later in the year she is still eligible for, and we'll just see what happens.”
Smart Betsy is closely related (3/4 sister) to Tyrrell's champion Bit Chilli, which took out the 2007 National Sprint Championship.
Bit Chilli was also by Bombastic Shiraz and out of Chilli Berger, Awesome Berger's mother.