Back-To-Back Galaxies Loom For The Mighty Miata
One of Australia's premier staying events, the Group 1 Galaxy looks to be as good as over as Miata proves to be many lengths better than any other finalist after two heats were conducted.
It was this time last year that regular Cannington race caller, Peter O'Niell, shouted ‘Go Miata' at the start of the 2012 final, in which the beginning of a dominating year for the Paul Stuart trained chaser took place, culminating in the National Distance Championship title in Hobart.
Many months have passed since that time, and after the nomination controversy involving the Sale Cup and Greyhound Racing Victoria, the dog had been freshened and set for a Galaxy campaign on home soil. Something that if successful, would make her the richest greyhound in the history of our sport, surpassing Dual Perth Cup winner, High Earner on top of the prizemoney list.
The wait has turned out to be worthwhile so far, as Miata began cleanly from box two and settled behind early leader, Golden Action around the first turn.
Top Class Ava for Steve Withers and Linda Britton's Bad Company were up running behind the speed, with Victorian, and the only interstate runner engaged, Arising, finding itself towards the tail-end of the pack.
Past the post the first time and Golden Action was still the lamplighter, with the unbackable favourite right on its hammer. There was a good battle brewing behind the leaders, with a total of four spots available for the final.
There was little change around the front turns and onto the back straight, before the true stayers started to show their colours on the top turn. Miata took a rails run over Golden Action, who started to tire, while Bad Company had a rear view mirror full of greyhounds cornering for home.
Miata's strength was on full display, with the margin exploding over the concluding stages to a staggering 21 lengths; a remarkable performance given she was behind for the majority of the race. The time of 41.60 was outside her ridiculous track record of 41.30, but it still suggests that her form is far superior to anything else engaged in the series.
Bad Company, Arising and race outsider Twistie for Shane van de Klashorst filled the minor positions and qualified for their share of the Galaxy riches.
Unfortunately for Greyhounds W.A, the series only attracted two heats this year, with the second heat being taken out be former local-turned dominate South Aussie stayer Kalden Mayhem. The veteran blue dog chased the lure for the 104th time on Saturday night, taking his amazing win tally to 48.
Beginning fairly from the three box, the Croweater settled third behind Lilly Was Here who burned out in front and Hogmania who had started nicely from box four. Entering the back straight, and Kalden Mayhem started to show his class, taking over control of the race.
Lilly Was Here had her time in the sun and was already starting to pack it up, with a myriad of dogs finding a way past the Hallucinate bitch. Hogmania was sticking on, while Politician was running well and securing a final berth.
Kalden Mayhem always looked comfortable when in front and did enough to win the event in 41.97. Politician ran a secure second with Hogmania, winding up in third. Highly fancied local stayer, Freeway Ace grabbed the fourth and last spot in the final ahead of NSW visitor, Hotwire.
Given that Miata looks set to start 20/1-on for the race next Saturday night, the interest looks to be in the minor placings. There is plenty of cash up for grabs and it does appear disappointing that there wasn't more interest from the eastern states. Nonetheless, it seems doubtful that any dog in the country could beat the superstar fawn bitch on her home turf, and it only seems fitting that Cannington provides the stage for Miata to be declared our most financially successful greyhound of all-time.