Dixie Gambles wins Rockhampton Grand Prix for Ken Boody
Dixie Gambles showed her grit and never say die attitude to come off the canvas and take out the Rockhampton Grand Prix on Wednesday night.
It was a winning quinella for trainer Ken Boody, with kennel mate San Marco producing a strong finish, stretching out on the line to take second place.
Dixie Gambles jumped at $1.60 with greyhound betting sites, with San Marco ($11) and Walk on Sunshine ($3.90) rounding out the top three. The Dallas Beckett-trained Bank Heist ($6.50) finished fourth.
“She (Dixie Gambles) may be NSW bred but she races like a Queenslander,” Boody said.
“She pulled up a bit sore in a shoulder after her last bit of work so we were rushing to have her right for this race.
“I was a bit worried when she didn’t lead but she dug in good.
“San Marco was a nice run and he tries hard each week.
“He just doesn’t have a lot of early dash to put himself in his races.”
2023 Rockhampton Grand Prix Final – Dixie Gambles (30.12) T: Ken Boody
CG Syndications Manager and part-owner Jaycin Campbell was confident leading in, even predicting how the race would play out.
“When the box draws came out on Friday, I messaged Ken and said we couldn’t have asked for better draws for the pair,” Campbell said.
“Dixie loves box 3, it’s her best box.
“She is now four from five with the only defeat in a Group 3 Flying Amy heat, where she led French Martini in 5.49 at Albion Park over the 520m.
“Marco appeared to be boxed well with the other speed dog in the race, Walk On Sunshine, inside and a wide runner in Blue Jeans Talk outside.
“I thought he’d get a nice cart into the race.
“The race didn’t exactly go to plan and I would be lying if I wasn’t kicking stones heading down the back when Dixie was relegated to third.
“I’ve been a bit worried about her run home section in previous weeks.
“But she visually looked strong late and did what good dogs do, win!”
The strong Rockhampton Grand Prix performances means the pair will progress towards Bundaberg before they head south.
“Both dogs will now be targeted at the Bundaberg Grand Prix next fortnight,” Campbell said.
“Dixie hasn’t seen the track yet so Ken will be planning to take her down there for a hit out before the heats.
“I think the tougher 531m run will give us a good indication of exactly where she’s at and if she’s going good enough to get back down to Brisbane.
“She’s got all her grades left over the 520 at Albion from memory so it would be nice to try and get a sub 30 run for her pedigree report.”
The victory was Dixie Gambles 22nd from 42 starts, but Campbell is not sure the three-year-old has the ability to step up in class and compete at group level.
“The only thing she’s missing other than a group win or placing, which is realistically out of her reach, she just doesn’t have the motor the top dogs have.” he said.
“The Townsville Cup later in the year is probably her last realistic chance of getting some black type but I prefer her on a straight start.”
San Marco has had 38 starts (12-6-7) and looks to have a bright future, with connections set to send the two-year-old to Brisbane trainer Steve Neary to chase greater spoils.
“Marco’s a solid dog who has won his fair share of features in Rocky,” Campbell said.
“[It’s] just unfortunate that he has a relatively faultless kennel mate versing him every week.
“After the Bundaberg Grand Prix, he will go down to Brisbane and be trained by Steve Neary with the aim to work him through his grades at Capalaba, Albion Park, and Ipswich.”