Maturity Heats Provide Classic Race Fall
On a night when a few emerging stars of greyhound racing shone brightly, the last race of the card provided the most spectacular display of the night.
Who Told Helen, Lynlea's Warrior and Pako Road were all unwanted in the betting in Heat 12 of the Group 1 Maturity Classic at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Starting the three rank outsiders from boxes 5,7 and 8 respectively, punters couldn't have foreseen the chaos that they would be involved in aproaching the first turn, nor could they foresee the 2nd favourite's chances in the race ruined by the mayhem.
From the start Lynlea Warrior and Pako Road were slow out and from there Bomber Heart (2), Rowdy (3), Mobile Phantom (4) and Who Told Helen (5) collided soon after the start.
After the early hustle and bustle, the field approched the first turn and then Rowdy, Mobile Phantom, Who Told Helen, Lynlea's Warrior and Pako Road all collided. This set off a sensational reaction which saw Mobile Phantom stumble and Who Told Helen, Lynlea's Warrior and Pako Road involve in one the most spectacular falls in recent times at The Meadows.
The fall was captured in an amazing photo by course photographer Paul Munt and graphically shows Pako Road (8) airborne over the top of Lynlea's Warrior (7), with Who Told Helen (5) unceremoniously hitting the loam nearer the rail. Mobile Phantom (4) can be seen regaining his composure down on the rail.
Testament to the athleticism, tenacious drive and hardiness of each greyhound, all greyhounds finished the race and subsequent veterinary examinations of each greyhound revealed no injuries.