Bunga Bunga Celebrity Greyhound Impresses On Debut
Tuesday night Warragul racing featured 9 heats of the Vic Breeders maiden series over the 460m journey with all eyes on the debut run of celebrity greyhound Bunga Bunga. Owner by the Hot Breakfast Syndicate, the owners have big ambitions and industry expectations are high that the well-bred daughter of El Grand Senor – So Seductive would be a winner both on and off the track.
Starting all the rage in heat four, Bunga Bunga could not have been more impressive on debut for leading mentor Kel Greenough. Affectionately known as Marsha, the black 29 kilogram chaser looked like a seasoned veteran, exploding from box 3 and leading throughout in a very fast 25.87 to score by seven lengths over Galloping Troy with a further three lengths to Proven Shimmy in third. With splits of 6.51 and 11.27 there wouldn't have been many greyhounds in the country capable of matching speed with her early. Raced by the Triple M Hot Breakfast team of Eddie McGuire, Luke Darcy and Mick Malloy, it was a dominant performance from a greyhound that looks to be a certain star of the future.
To give an indication of the performance – the time was only .03 seconds slower than the BON set by Proven Nitro in the Best 8 later in the evening. Although Proven Nitro came from behind in a strong win, Bunga Bunga led throughout and for a first starter it was an exceptional debut. She is an impressive looking greyhound and with the celebrity status tag already firmly attached she is a greyhound to follow and one we will hear plenty about. The second place run of Galloping Troy was also very impressive and he chased hard throughout behind the winner and looks another to follow.
Other impressive winners included Hillbilly Flash (Velocette – Ashleigh Ella) for Lemnos trainer Anthony Thurston. Starting from box 4 in heat two, Hillbilly Flash was able to lead throughout stopping the clock in a fast 25.93 and breaking the magical 26 seconds. The October 2011 whelp was having just his second start after a debut 6th at Bendigo in May. The race experience and improved box manners the telling difference as he scored by six and a half lengths to Pure Mayhem with a further five lengths to All Sky Girl in third. The run of Pure Mayhem (Bombastic Shiraz – Sieze The Moment) was very impressive after he was slowly away and copped some heavy traffic. Pure Mayhem is another beautifully bred youngster and is a litter brother to Reg Kay's Queensland flyer Sieze The Bomb. He looks a handy greyhound capable of big improvement and one to follow for the black book.
Yarragon trainer Graham Hall produced Earnin' Oodles (High Earner – Canoodles) first up for an all the way win in 26.72 for the Goats Syndicate in heat three. Starting in box 1, the black bitch was able to hold on at the finish scoring by a length and three-quarters over Mini Colour with a further three-quarters of a length to Master Lachlan in third. Earnin' Oodles is another offspring of the wonderful producer Canoodles who produced another winner on the night when Modest Ruler (by Knocka Norris) won impressively in a 400m best 8. This heat (3) was a race full of interference as most of the runners found trouble. The race favourite, Ash Flash for Darren McDonald ran fourth after making up lots of ground in the home straight and will be improved by the debut run.
Langwarrin trainer Kay King produced a back to back heat win with litter sisters Crowdza Captive and Crowdza Talking (Premier Fantasy – Crowdza Cheerin). Both greyhounds raced in the same manner, leading throughout, stopping the clock in 26.50 and 26.75 respectfully. Crowdza Talking was lucky to hang on for the win after second place getter Our Boy Hudo looked to go straight past him before turning his head. The white and black chasers looked identical and both will improve from their first start wins last night.
Lang Lang trainer Geraldine Debono produced the wonderfully named Big Sub Woofer (Path To Power – Above The Sky) to an impressive win in heat 8 in a quick 26.36 to score by a third of a length over Sharkey Flash with a further four lengths to Spuds Colour in third. Having his fourth race start and exiting box 5 the November 2010 whelp was able to bring up win number 1 after strong earlier performances at Cranbourne and Geelong. Already two and a half years old he looks an improving type who should continue to improve with consistent racing.
The other strong performance in the heats was in the final event on the card, in heat 9 where Devon Meadows trainer Wayne Vassallo produced favourite Smooth Grin (Elite State – Brooklyn Belle) to an impressive victory in 26.20. Speeding through a flying first section 6.56 the August 2011 whelp was able to register his first win at start number 8 after having previously raced at Healesville, Geelong, Sale and Bendigo. Starting in box 7 he was too good in the event winner by three lengths over Tycoran Jewel with a further five lengths to Bold Me Down third.
With the semi-finals of the Vic Breeders next Tuesday the attention will return to Warragul in what looks to be a great series with lots of runners capable of future racetrack success, none more so than celebrity grey Bunga Bunga.
Warragul Vic Breedeers Heat Winners and Winning Times
Heat 1 – Savage Storm – 26.55
Heat 2 – Hillbilly Flash – 25.93
Heat 3 – Earnin' Oodles – 26.72
Heat 4 – Bunga Bunga – 25.87
Heat 5 – Crowdza Captive – 26.50
Heat 6 – Crowdza Talking – 26.75
Heat 7 – Batmandu – 26.76
Heat 8 – Big Sub Woofer – 26.36
Heat 9 – Smooth Grin – 26.20