Sandra’s Patience Pays Dividends
Burnie greyhound trainer Sandra Elphinstone has been very patient with Posh Poppy (Meticulous – Oh Zoya), who recorded his initial victory in the Country Club Tasmania Juvenile (600 metres) at the Tote Racing Centre on Monday night.
The Allen Clark owned chaser was having his 38th start in a race, but defeated a smart field in a manner suggesting that he has turned the corner and can win again in coming months.
Quick to begin from the red box, Posh Poppy led his rivals a merry dance throughout and then fought off a late challenge from the Ted Medhurst prepared Jaguar Pines ( Premier Fantasy – Jenylyn Stanley), to score at odds of $10.
“Despite the fact that there were several very promising greyhounds in the race, I gave Posh Poppy a chance from the red box and when he began nicely and held them out, I was quite confident of success,” Sandra explained this week.
Elphinstone is of the opinion that Posh Poppy's future lies in middle distance events and will peruse the calendar searching for longer journeys, before mapping out his programme.
“Prior to winning this week Posh Poppy had been placed on twelve occasions, including a very sound second behind Bell Haven over 600 metres and I believe he is better suited over a longer trip,” she explained.
The young trainer has a team of three in work at the moment, including Posh Poppy's litter-brother I'll Reward You and Wynburn Jet (Big Daddy Cool – Swift Azz), a Hobart winner early in May.
To date, I'll Reward You has experienced no luck in his races, but does have some ability and is probably capable of becoming the second winner from the particular litter.
“I also have Posh Will, by Collide from Oh Zoya, about ready to resume following injury,” Elphinstone explained.
“He last raced back in April, has recovered fully and as the winner of twelve races is quite a handy chaser to have in work.”
Elphintone is thankful to have access to greyhounds bred by Allen Clark, a prolific breeder and former Chairman of the North West Greyhound Racing Club.
“Allen places his greyhounds with several trainers including Anthony Bullock and Larry Tanner, but also offers them to me, which is great,” she explained.
Having been involved with the greyhound racing industry for her entire life, Elphinstone has handled several top chasers, but her favourite has always been the bitch Smart Monica (Jellico Lad – Monica Rose).
“She won me thirteen races and was placed a further fifty-three times, but more importantly produced a litter of six pups which all won me races,” she explained.