Casino Blue Paws Final Proves An Epic Battle
The much anticipated clash between local greyhounds Gwapo and Teddy She Knows proved to be just that, when they dominated the Blue Paws Final last Friday.
Both had won their heats in convincing fashion, and at box rise Teddy She Knows speared out from box three, to take up the early running. As they went into the first turn Gwapo was right on her back, and they cleared away from the others.
Teddy She Knows looked to have the race in his keeping as they came down the side, but she drifted off the track ever so slightly, and this allowed Gwapo to power through.
When the judge called a halt, the Neil Falls trained Gwapo had scored by 2 1/2 lengths in a very fast 22.96.
Jason Fredericks trained the runner up, and he didn't have to wait long for the “wheel of fortune” to turn, as he owns litter brother Crown High who took out the Westlawn Finance stake. The speedy Miss Black led them up, and looked the winner as the passed the 620 metre boxes with Crown Hi looking inside and out, for a winning run. Finally he found it when he shifted to the outside, and finishing full of running Crown Hi got up to score by two lengths in 27.58. Rob Andrews now trains the greyhound for Jason, and there was plenty of cheering, so the money must have been “on”.
Happy Hopper continued with her affinity of the Casino track when he took out the Casino RSM Club Free For All. It was a handy field that faced the starter, but Happy Hopper came out running from box five to go straight to the lead. His rivals were left in his wake as he raced away to win by 6 1/4 lengths clocking the best time of the day – 27.31. He has now won seven races at Casino from 14 starts, and is unbeaten over the 484 metre trip.
Peter Simpson produced a “likely” one in Zipplee who won the Casino Rural Traders Maiden. There must have been some troubles with this greyhound, as at three years of age, she was only having her third start. From box two she got straight onto the bunny, and never left the issue in doubt winning by 7 3/4 lengths clocking 27.71.
Within Site, who is now prepared by Darryl Schafer, ran the best time over the short course (22.80) in winning the Ranvet stake by five lengths, whilst the well supported Yorklea Thunder led throughout to win her maiden by 1 3/4 lengths. She ran a fast 22.98 for trainer Bill Gilbert and owner Tony Marras.
The 620 metre track record went by the wayside again when Write Off Bart won his heat of the Cool Effort @ Stud distance stake. He led most of the way holding off a determined Genista Thunder to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Running 35.26, he shaved two one hundreths off the time standard, and he is trained by Tom Tzouvelis. The other run off produced a dead heat, with the judge unable to separate Tonguester and Spritely Babe. They ran 35.94.
The Grafton trainers had a good day, as besides Rosansa Streatfield and Jim Madigan sharing the spoils in that race, Back A Zac scored for Bill Riddle running 27.83 ; Eighteen Months led all of the way in 22.89 for Bob Merillo, and Jaydo's Direct won for Benny Russell, after finding the rails as they went into the back section. She ran 27.84 in winning by 1 1/4 lengths.
The remaining race on a mammoth twelve event card was won by Pieden Bight who jumped straight to the front to win a 4th and 5th grade, also by 1 1/4 lengths. The Shane Robinson trained sprinter ran 27.78.
Casino race again this Friday as a prelude to the big Beef Week Cup meeting on May 29th.