Carton Of Bear blitzes Ipswich Derby, connections eye Cup glory
Carton Of Bear put on a clinic for a second week straight, taking out the Ipswich Derby final on Saturday night.
Trained by Brent Kline out of Karalee, Carton Of Bear lined up in the $30,000-to-the-winner contest over the 520m trip as the $1.70 race favourite with greyhound bookmakers.
After box rise, Carton Of Bear got out to show why support was piled upon him as he got out from the inside draw with the upper hand and held it for the entire trip.
He beat home Horology ($15) by three lengths in 30.42, with the Ray Burman-trained Blue Hornet finishing in third.
Trainer Kline was impressed with the win and told Australian Racing Greyhound that the moment meant more than another win for the family.
“We are very proud of him,” he said.
“We had an angel on his back tonight.
“We lost my wife’s father on Thursday morning so that win was for him.”
2023 Ipswich Derby Final – Carton Of Bear (30.28) T: Brent Kline
Last time out, on October 14, Carton Of Bear took out his heat of the Ipswich Derby with the fastest time of the heats in 30.28, beating home Fancy A Scotch by close to eight lengths (7.50).
At the track and trip, he holds an impressive record of four wins and one runner-up finish from six starts, with Kline predicting greater spoils ahead for the chaser.
“We will definitely have a look at the Ipswich Cup heats next week,” he said.
“The way he is running at Ippy at the moment, we would be fools not to enter.”
The son of Hooked On Scotch and Shilo has now had 13 wins and eight minor placings from 32 career starts and has earned $78,460 in prizemoney.