Uno Hazard Takes The Derby, Lucy Wild The Oaks
The Lang Lang venue has under gone a re-incarnation over the last 5 years. The bush setting has been maintained but the facilities have been upgraded and the prayers to the weather gods by the Lang Lang Coursing Club's committee and volunteers were answered.
Only a sprinkling of rain fell on the Saturday and with a tail wind for the dogs on both days, and the sun breaking through on both days with the track was in magnificent condition, we had two splendid days of coursing. There were some close courses by some great puppies.
Who could ask for anything better? Trainers and owners brought their charges from near and far for these two puppy classics which were first contested way back in 1875.
Classic events are not only a test of speed; they are also a test of endurance. The finalists in both the Derby & Oaks have coursed successfully in the past, so the trainer's preparation paid off.
However, once you get to a coursing final, it's anybody's guess who will win. The clock might have one greyhound looking the winner, but that's only the speed component and when you factor in the endurance, the result can be quite different.
Day 1
On Saturday the Derby & Oaks commenced, with 5 runs on the horizon for the eventual winner and runner up, many attendees were sure there were going to be some interesting results. They were not surprised! Greyhounds defeated in the first rounds of the Derby & Oaks, can contest the Derby or Oaks Consolations 1 and the greyhounds defeated in the 2nd round of the Derby & Oaks can contest the Derby or Oaks Consolation 2. So at the end of the day we had 6 six events to continued the following day.
The Derby commenced with Black Hummer being defeated by Major Nova in the first course of the day, which through the betting wide open. Some may have thought that with both Black Hummer and Uno Hazard in the same part of the draw that it would come dog to those two dogs meeting in the quarter final. But that contest was soon put to bed. King's Wizard put paid to Womby Jet's tilt at a classic with a very fast time down the Lang Lang straight. Bloss' Benson was doing OK until he met with Uno Hazard as was Geoffy when he met King's Wizard. Jeff's Charge made good his contest with a favourable draw having both a natural and accidental bye.
Derby Semi final
Uno Hazard Vs Jeff's Charge
King's Wizard Vs *****BYE*****
The Oaks looked like a more open affair with some untried debutantes stepping out for the first time. This was not the case with litter sisters Elly Clampett & Granny Clampett who both made the semi finals. Stylish Return had been dispatched by Elly Clampett in Elly's quest to obtain a berth and Granny had a natural bye into the final, she defeated the eventual winner of the Oaks Consolation 1 in round 1. Lucy Wilds made the trek with her South Australian trainer and Victorian Owner. She is a Victorian bred greyhound but that didn't stop a Victorian Vs South Australian rivalry. The other semi finalist for the Oaks was Our Vera.
Oaks Semi final
Over Vera Vs Elly Clampett
Lucy Wilds Vs Granny Clampett
At the end of the day we saw the following greyhounds still in the running for some stakemoney with the consolations events to continue the program on day 2.
Derby Consolation 1
Syonic Line Vs Space to Rent
Free To Bet Vs Gold Rush Max
Oaks Consolation 1
Where's Lucy Vs Why Not Deb
Henlin Park Jody Vs ****BYE****
Derby Consolation 2
With an injury to Pure Ethynol the final of the Derby Consolation 2 would be contested by
Arbour Zac Vs Major Nova.
Oaks Consolation 2
Miss Inferno Vs Nordeim
Bull Bar Barb Vs ****BYE****
Day 2
On Sunday, we saw another 5 support events to make this a really great meeting. There were 3 maiden events, an all aged stake and a one win stake. There were also some maidens contesting their first coursing meetings. All great signs for coursing, it is a winter sport and with only three meetings to complete this 2009 season, the Executive are already looking to the 2010 season.
The Derby final was contested by Uno Hazard and King's Wizard. At Western District Final! Uno Hazard is trained by Bruce Thompson from Garvoc and King's Wizard is trained by Nicole Stanley from Portland. Great to see that coursing is still alive and kicking in this part of the state. Uno Hazard quickly got to the lead and although King's Wizard tried hard, he couldn't bridge the gap. Uno Hazard was runner up in the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship held earlier in the coursing season at Lang Lang.
The final of the Oaks was contested by Elly Clampett and Lucy Wild. Elly being the local hope being owned by Cheryl Divirgilio and trained by Ren Divirgilio. Lucy was “South Aussie” contender who had come to represent the Western Border region. Both had coursed previously. “Elly” at Lang Lang and “Lucy” at Virginia in South Australia. Upon leaving slips Lucy mustered speed and went to the front, Elly tried hard but Lucy was able to hold on to her lead as they crossed the finishing line.
The Consolations saw some good coursing too. It's not easy “coming up” time after time and these are young dogs. They are all starting to “feel the pinch” and this is where the endurance gene is starting to take old. Gold Rush Max who had not coursed previously made his debut something to remember when he defeated Syonic Line in the Derby Consolation 1. Where's Lucy defeated Henlin Park Jody in the Oaks Consolation1, and Arbour Zac also from the West defeated Major Nova from the North East in the Derby Consolation 2. The Oaks consolation 2 saw Miss Inferno who was on fire defeat Bull Bar Barb who was making a late charge near the line.
The support events saw Brett's Brigade take out his second event for new trainer J. Reddoch from Healesville when he defeat his litter brother, Lionel Kramer's Black Mane. It's Jubilee has moved from the One Win Class to the All Aged Class with her defeat of Bloss' Burra in the Palace Hotel Lang Lang, 1 win stake. Dancing Trixie finally grabbed her maiden win in the Waverley Party Hire Bitch maiden with her win over Petite Louson. The Larmax Hardware Dog Maiden was won by Texas Law for Nicole Stanley with his win over Vertex. Rufus Dufus won the Amstel Golf Club Dog Maiden when he defeated Newhaven.
The presentations were a great success and this is one feature of coursing that participants like to attend. We do try to keep them short as some trainers and owners need to commence the long journey home. Yesterday there were trainers going home to Portland, Glencoe, Garvoc, Kyabram, Smythesdale, Bolwarra and Merton.
Thankyou to all who attended this classic meeting. We are off to Werribee next Sunday 13th. Hope to catch you there. Your support is needed for this much enjoyed part of greyhound racing!