It’s needless to say that group racing is an exciting time. The atmosphere is full, stakes are high and the competition is fierce and this is exactly what Cannington has to look forward to tonight in the Group Two All Star Sprint.
At headquarters Four Paw Glory and owner Sean Cachia will get to experience the thrill of group racing for the first time.
“It’s pretty exciting! I have been in the dogs for six years and he is the first dog I reared on the property to be in a group race and I am very happy about it”, owner Sean Cachia explained.
Last week in the heats of the All Star Sprint Four Paw Glory rocketed out of box eight to lead from start to finish, recording the second fastest heat time of 30.85 on a slow and heavy track.
In this weeks $40,000 to the winner final, the son of Collision – Pearlee Surprise has drawn closer to the rails in box four under the watchful eye of trainer Linda Britton.
“If he is able to lead and get a clear run he can record good times which puts him in the race. He will need a little bit of room early where he can use his first two or three strides to muster up a bit of early pace. My fingers are crossed, that’s all you can do.”
Cachia is unable to make the trip West to witness his first group performer pull on his blue rug because he will be playing the role of trainer in the heats of the Group One Hume Cup at The Meadows with Ima Fairytale. Cachia holds the daughter of Superman – Bronie Blue Bell in high regards from box three in the sixth heat of the night.
Four Paw Glory, informally known as Rocky, made the trip from Anakie, Victoria to Nambeelup, Western Australia in June this year. Rocky soon made himself at home in the Britton residence where he spent two months on the sidelines recovering from a metatarsal fracture he sustained as a puppy.
“The bigger track at Cannington suits him; once he has his own room he is a different dog. It was a good opportunity to try and get him on the bunny rather then chasing dogs from behind.”
After a total of three months on the sidelines Rocky made his Cannington debut from box three. He led everywhere but on line, tiring to finish second behind Vocal Express. He went on to win his next three races; once he got the taste of Cannington victory there was little stopping the 34-kilo chaser, continually dropping his personal best time, eventually to 30.44.
“I couldn’t have asked for much more. It’s hard enough to get a winner, let alone five from seven.”
From Rocky’s 16 starts he has recorded seven wins and three minor placing’s earning over $18,000. For a dog that spent most of his puppy life running away from a three-legged Maltese Terrier and his sister, he has exceeded expectations.
“I was in the middle of moving from my residential property to the farm when I bought them. I actually brought a bitch first then rung back and brought a second one and that was him.”
“Her name was Ima Pearl, she was the fastest dog I have ever had. I had to retire her due to injury but she managed to win one race.”
“They lived in the backyard for a month while I had the yards set up. He is a great dog, the most relaxed dog I have had. I never heard him bark in the paddock.”
Rocky’s gentleman persona will have to be left in the kennels if he wants a group title to his name. He is coming up against WA’s fastest bred chaser in On Coin who has drawn box one, but On Coin isn’t his only competition. Paul Stuart’s Coconut Grove has proved in his two starts at Cannington that he can record some pretty quick times. Derby winner Tiggerlong Amigo for Darren McDonald has also made it through and is likely to be a very strong contender come box rise.
Trainers Comments (John Crossley): “It’s about time he got a decent box in a big race. I would say he is in with a good chance, he is jumping good which is great because he needs to in this race with all the pace around him. He was very tired after his run last week because he was out for so long but in the morning he was good as gold again. My Mate Cobber and Coconut Grove are his main dangers.”
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
29.86
30.88
5.61
5.70
Box 2
Race Odds
$4.80
Heat Replay
Coconut Grove
Trainer
Paul Stuart
Owner
Greyhound Brokers Australia
Prizemoney
$26,175
Last 10 Starts
2135856123
35 Months
Black
Dog
by
Bit
Chili
–
Smell
The
Roses
Start
Well
Running
Rails
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$844
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
31
7
6
3
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
23%
52%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
1
1
0
Box 2 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
2
1
0
ARG Comments: On Debut two weeks ago he stopped the clock in a best of the night time of 30.47 after he jumped cleanly out of the boxes. Last week he didn’t show the same early pace as the week before which landed him in trouble and saw him chasing down On Coin. If he misses the start again this week it will be a much harder task to run down On Coin who will be fitter from last weeks run.
Trainers Comments (Max Julien): “It’s just a matter of who wants to get out first. Last week I expected him to run a place so I am very happy that he is in the race. He is drawn the same as last week so that should probably help him.”
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.70
30.92
5.71
5.71
Box 4
Race Odds
$8.50
Heat Replay
Four Paw Glory
Trainer
Linda Britton
Owner
Sean Cachia
Prizemoney
$16,825
Last 10 Starts
1516111286
31 Months
Black
Dog
by
Collision
–
Pearlee
Surprise
Start
Fast
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$420
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
16
7
2
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
44%
62%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
5
1
0
Box 4 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
1
0
1
Trainers Comments (Linda Britton): “Im expecting the three (Deputy Chief) to run off a bit so Four Paw Glory needs to begin well to clear it because that could bring him undone.”
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.44
30.85
5.64
5.71
Box 5
Race Odds
$17.00
Heat Replay
You Can Dream
Trainer
Dennis Calleja
Owner
Dennis Calleja
Prizemoney
$54,915
Last 10 Starts
141121122
35
Months
Black
Bitch
by
Premier
Fantasy
–
Hot
Puzzle
Start
Okay
Running
Rails
Finish
Well
Prizemoney Rating
$1,121
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
49
16
8
8
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
33%
65%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
47
15
8
8
Box 5 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
2
2
0
ARG Comments: She will need to improve her first sectional if she is going to win this race. The early pace coming from the inside of the track will make it very hard for her to get a run onto the lure. Running dogs like Coconut Grove and Tiggerlong Amigo down is also going to be a hard task, a much better place chance.
Trainers Comments (Linda Britton): “He recored the best time last week so hopefully he begins and finds the front early. I am expecting improvement from On Coin so I think he will be a danger in the race.”
Trainers Comments (Darren McDonald): “He has drawn well in the race. If he comes out and produces his best time he will be competitive.”
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.31
30.97
5.73
5.85
Box 8
Race Odds
$51.00
Heat Replay
Cee Sheen
Trainer
Jason Stuart
Owner
Jason Stuart
Prizemoney
$19,880
Last 10 Starts
2421723231
33 Months
Blue
Dog
by
Cosmic
Rumble
–
Right
On
Ruby
Start
Running
Finish
Prizemoney Rating
$662
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
30
5
13
8
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
17%
87%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
15
4
7
3
Box 8 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
0
1
1
Trainers Comments (Jase Stuart): “If he gets a start he will be up against it from out wide, he will be relying on a flying start and trouble behind him. If My Mate Cobber gets the fly it will be game over.”
ARG Comments: If she is to get a run she is a better place chance. Her form of late has been inconsistent but you can’t count her out because if she decides to turn up she could cause havoc.
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.43
30.97
5.71
5.81
2nd Res
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Astronomic
Trainer
Paul Stuart
Owner
Paul Stuart
Prizemoney
$68,300
Last 10 Starts
3263433111
33 Months
Red
Fawn
Dog
by
Cosmic
Rumble
–
Right
On
Ruby
Start
Fast
Running
Rail
Finish
Well
Prizemoney Rating
$1,897
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
36
13
9
7
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
36%
81%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
20
8
4
4
Box Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
–
–
–
–
ARG Comments: Astronomic is a very speedy chaser but failed to get into the race last week on the heavy track. If he is to get a run in the final he will be hoping for an inside box to give him the best chance possible.
