Thanos Take Out The Major Sprint At Casino
Fastest qualifier Thanos run up to his speedy heat time to take out the rich DG Waldron / Casino RSM Club sprint at Queen Elizabeth Park last Friday. Even though he missed the start slightly, his superior pace and box two allowed him to grab the lead at the first bend and dash clear.
Even though Super Trump tried valiantly to catch him, he was no match for the winner who ran a speedy 27.27. The Darren Russell trained sprinter has now had fifteen starts for six wins, and interestingly enough has no placings in his career, all wins.
Darren is a great supporter of the Casino club and is slowly building up wins in the feature events having won the Cougars Cup back in August with his great campaigner Gelignite Kid.
Punters didn't know where to look in the first heat of the Blue Paws Distance event with seemingly all runners having a chance as they turned for home. It was left to Day Seas Penny to bob on the line and win by a length in 36.30.
The second heat was a little more clear cut with Miss Sarajevo leading all of the way. She got home by 3/4 length in 35.97. The box draw may determine the winner of this very open final on Friday.
Allegro Charm returned to her best form to win the Westlawn Finance stake for Neville Robson. Following a good third over the shorter trip last week, she sped out from box seven to lead throughout running 27.14, the best of the day. It was her third win at Casino with all of these being over the 484 metres.
The Dean Turley trained Corporal O' Reily used his radar to perfection to make a one act affair of the Ranvet stake. He bounced out from the rails to lead his rivals a merry dance, winning by 4 1/2 lenghts in 22.97, the best time over the “shorts”. It was only his second win here from ten goes.
Bralyn Sal stepped up from her Pop Northfield maiden win to take out the Richmond Valley Pet Foods stake over 484 metres. From box eight she was tardy at the start, but had enough speed to take up the running as the went towards the back. The Brad Northfield owned and trained youngster raced away to score by five lengths in 27.58.
Mr Mulgowie, another who shone through the maiden series, won the Shimmers Bistro stake by 4 1/4 lengths in 23.13 for Trevor Salmoni, whilst Mudgee Man made it two winners for Trev when found the fence in the back section before winning the Casino Rural Traders stake by 2 3/4 lengths. He ran 27.62.
Sudoku Princess gave Kieth Anderson a “fillup” when she won the Mc Donald's Pharmacy maiden in 23.45. The win was more pleasant with the 17/1 odds on the TAB. In the following event Shane Robinson prepared his second winner when Aero Ace won the Cougars Nite Club Maiden. He was beaten for early pace by Kooringa Squirt, but railed through on the circle to get the prize in 23.21. I'm sure the cheers by owner Donna Battesse could be heard from the RSM club, the major sponsor of the day.
Lucky Rose Hi won the Casino RSM Club Flying in 23.08 for Trevor Thompson, and Bacardi Breeze ran 23.08 in a 4 1/4 length romp for Beryl and Brian Stephens.
It's a big week of racing on the Northern Rivers with Lismore holding their Cup meetings, Grafton and Tweed Heads racing, and Casino going around as usual next Friday.