Del Rey leads all the way in 2018 Group 2 Launceston Cup

Del Rey stretches out to win the . PIC: Tas Racing.

QUEENSLAND sprinter Del Rey (Milldean Panther x National Diamond May '15) upstaged some of the best chasers in Tasmania to record an all the way win in Saturday's Group 2 Launceston Cup (515m).

Prepared at Ormeau by , Del Rey was ideally drawn in box one, bouncing straight to the front of the field in the early stages.

Despite the best efforts of Zulu Knock's ( x Cosmic Dryva Mar '15) and ( x El Brooklyn Jan '16) the fawn bitch was too strong at the finish, kicking clear to score by one and a half lengths in a fast 29.84.

Tzouvelis, who sent three greyhounds down for the series, said he went into the race expecting a big performance despite the fact Del Rey had not won either her heat or semi-final.

“I was very happy when she came up with box one – that was by far her best draw,” Tzouvelis told Australian Racing Greyhound.

“She felt her way around in the heats and then in the semi-final she jumped beautifully but she got taken off the track – she went from equal leader to being five or six behind them.

“When she only got beat a couple of lengths on the line I was very happy with the run and I rated her about a 29.80 bitch heading into the final which is what she came out and ran.

“I was very pleased with her run.”

Del Rey has now won 10 races from 48 starts with 10 seconds and 13 thirds. Owned by the Temnick Syndicate, Del Rey's earnings are now sitting just above $63,000.

Tzouvelis confirmed the rising-three-year old is now likely to target further glory, with a trip to NSW on the cards.

The Richmond Oaks is coming up which would suit her because she is very strong,” he said.

“But she is the type of bitch which needs a look at the track, so I will just get her home and make sure she settles back in first – it's a lot warmer up here in Queensland than what it has been in Tasmania.

“All going to plan I'd like to give her a look at Richmond and then race her in the heats.”

2018 Group 2 Cup results

1st – Del Rey (1) – Tom Tzouvelis – $6.80
2nd – Zulu Knock's (2) – – $3.70
3rd – Hemsworth (8) – Mick Stringer – $2.50
4th – Chief Jetpilot (5) – – $7.60
5th – Long View Belle (4) – Graeme Moate – $55.90
6th – Bobby Bound (3) – Robin Stocks – $7.90
7th – Apollo Blue (7) – – $20.10
8th – Fink Racer (6) – Ricky Martin – $24.70

Margins: 1.5 x neck
Time: 29.84
First section: 5.08
Second section: 17.61
Run home: 12.17