A Wrap Of The Nowra Summer Puppy Classic Semi-Finals
The field is now known for the Group Three Nowra Summer Puppy Classic final to be held on Saturday, 29 March.
Local trainers Philip Goodsell and Chris O'Brien have both qualified two for the final. Goodsell's two runners are litter-mates, as are O'Brien's two.
Semi-Final One – Group Three Nowra Summer Puppy Classic
The margin of a neck-by-three-quarters was all that separated the first four in the first semi-final. Leica Destiny (1) was well served by the inside draw, leading the field down the back. However, she had Highbury (3) on her hammer. He went one better then last week and finished too strongly for Leica Destiny. Solar Pak (2) was also up there and secured third spot. Race favourite Stilton Blue (8) was forced wide at the first turn but managed to get through unscathed and fill fourth, gaining a spot in the final.
Highbury, trained by Paul Roach, recorded 30.26 in his third career victory from 13 starts.
Semi-Final Two – Group Three Nowra Summer Puppy Classic
Charles Dalton's Quick To Go (6) was just that from box six, leading all the way to crack her maiden and record the best time of the two semi-finals; 30.04. On a wet track, it's always an advantage to lead and she won comfortably by three lengths. Hollie Anne (1) did all the chasing behind Quick To Go and she has earned a spot in the final alongside her brother Stilton Blue. Quick To Go and Hollie Anne were 11 lengths in front of the rest of the field, which suffered varying degrees of interference. Gold Buccaneer (7) and Someone Tifi (8) were able to finish in third and fourth respectively and fill the last two spots in the final.
The field for the $25,000 race is:
Quick To Go – 30.04 (Charles Dalton)
Hollie Anne – 30.22 (Philip Goodsell)
Highbury – 30.26 (Paul Roach)
Leica Destiny – 30.28 (Susan Sundstrom)
Solar Pak – 30.30 (Chris O'Brien)
Stilton Blue – 30.31 (Philip Goodsell)
Gold Buccaneer – 30.75 (James McFarlane)
Someone Tifi – 30.86 (Chris O'Brien)
First Reserve: Power Of Will – 30.43 (Garry Edwards)
Second Reserve: Gone Ratty – 30.96 (David Mott)