Johnson Not Declaring Senor Slamma A “Good Thing” In Hobart St Leger
Despite the fact that smart chaser Senor Slamma has won four races in succession, Leith trainer Gary Johnson is not overly confident that the greyhound can extend the winning streak in the $7,150 M A Morgan St Leger (461 metres), to be conducted at the HGRC meeting in Hobart on Thursday night.
“He is strictly a hit and miss greyhound and therefore has to be taken on trust,” he explained.
“If he flies the lids and leads he will take plenty of catching. But the game is over if he misses the kick because he just doesn't like other greyhounds around him.”
Owner by Gary's wife Robyn, the son of El Grand Senor was now won 13 races while accumulating a purse of almost $20,000 and can claim a pb of 25.88 on the Hobart circuit, which is considerably faster than his St Leger rivals and an indication of what he is capable of while high-balling in the premier position.
“I rate Gary Fahey's greyhound Bruny Venture and Russell Watt's Boston Heart as huge winning chances in the event, but in saying that it's a classy field and virtually every runner has a chance,” Johnson concluded.
Meanwhile Kinloch Brae bitch Ireland's Force will also be shooting for five wins on the trot when she contests the $7,150 Big Moose Laurels (461 metres), which will also be decided on Thursday night's 11 event HGRC card.
An occupant of Russell Watt's Moorleah kennel, she has impressed greatly in recent weeks, but will meet stiff opposition in the feature. The Laurels has also attracted a star-studded field, including the likes of the Ted Medhurst prepared Velocette bitch Lillycette.
Another bitch to have excelled this week in Tasmania is the topliner She's All Class, who gave her rivals a galloping lesson in The Advocate Grade 3 (452 metres) conducted at Tuesday's NWGRC meeting at the Devonport Raceway.
She was well supported in wagering on the event at a $1.80 quote and did not let her supporters down by flying the lids from the pink box to take up the running, before eventually scoring by three lengths in the time of 25.39.
Owned and prepared at Bishopsbourne by astute mentor David Crosswell, the daughter of Dyna Lachlan has now won 20 of 34 lifetime outings and accumulated a purse of almost $40,000, despite having had her career curtailed by serious injury and having a litter of pups.
Her elated owner-trainer declared her “a machine” after she won on Tuesday, which was only her second run back from the enforced spell.
“She had her toe off early in her career and then a sesamoid injury. Those things only ever happen to the good ones,” he declared.
Crosswell will map out a programme for She's All Class, which may very well include tilts at the Devonport Cup and possibly the Hobart Thousand and is confidently predicting that one day she will make a great brood bitch.
“She will throw a champion one day, but she isn't ready to retire yet. She'll let me know when she is,” he said.