Collide – Ricky’s Angel Litter Dominate In Hobart
Predictably, the outstanding Collide – Ricky's Angel litter dominated proceedings at Tattersalls Park on Tuesday when the HGRC played host to both the $4,400 Rapidvite Tasmanian Country Derby(461 metres) and the $4,400 Betfair Tasmanian Country Oaks (461 metres).
Under normal circumstances these prestigious events are conducted by the NWGRC at the Devonport Raceway, however that venue is closed while conductor rail maintenance is being carried out and the meeting was transferred to Hobart.
Boom chaser Rewind made a one act affair of the Country Derby by finding the early lead and running his rivals ragged as a well supported $2.70 favourite.
Prepared at Bracknell by veteran mentor Maurie Strickland, he recorded an equal best of the meeting time of 25.88 in defeating Galtee Again and kennel mate Where's Magpie by three lengths.
Rewind has now won 15 of 20 lifetime starts and stakes of in excess of $22,000 and is shaping up as one of Tasmania's better prospects.
Although reluctant to compare greyhounds from different eras, Strickland considers Rewind to be one of the best he has handled during a long and illustrious career as a trainer.
“I don't like comparing them because tracks have changed and they are running faster, but he is certainly one of the best that I have owned and also one of the better chasers that I have prepared,” he said this week.
“I have a soft spot for the champion hurdler Golden Unicorn and Bookies Regret and Society Friend, which was a brilliant beginner, were also standouts that immediately come to mind.”
Meanwhile Rowella trainer Terry Penny quinellaed the Country Oaks with the very smart bitches Miss Roman Nose and Clyde's Angel, which were sent out as the first two elects in the market.
Miss Roman Nose found the early lead and was challenged late in the event by her litter sister, but had a length to spare at the wire in the time of 25.94.
Miss Roman Nose has now won seven of 15 lifetime starts and stakes of in excess of $12,000 and Clyde's Angel has almost identical statistics, seven from 16 and a similar purse.
It has been well documented that Penny and his wife borrowed Rickys Angel from Ricky Ponting, bred her to Collide and then retained all of the litter other than Strapper's Angel, which is raced by the champion cricketer and Rewind, which was sold to Strickland.
Meanwhile classy bitch Sultan's Swing continued on her winning way at the HGRC meeting by taking out the Rapidvite Invitation (461 metres) in the time of 25.88, as an unbackable $1.10 favourite.
The daughter of Big Daddy Cool has now won 27 of 52 lifetime starts while accumulating stakes of in excess of $46,000 and is regarded as one of the better of her sex to have raced in Tasmania in recent times.
Sultan's Swing is raced by prominent bookmaker Barry Heawood and prepared for him at Mangalore by leading trainer Ted Medhurst.