Home Bred Takes Down Graftons Jacaranda Maiden
Junction Hill trainer Jim Madigan has had several finalists in the George's Tree Services Jacaranda Maiden in previous years but 2009 was his year to win the race.
Classic Revel, bred by Jim and his wife Sharon and owned by their daughter Brooke, used box one to its fullest advantage when he began only moderately but hunted along the fence to be just behind the leaders at the first turn.
When the more favoured runners Roxley Glyder, trained by Leone North, and Money Enforcer, trained by Andrew Monaghan, came together, this allowed Classic Revel to race to the front and from that point the George's Jacaranda Maiden was all over.
In the run home Classic Revel came right away to win by twelve and a quarter lengths in 23.30 and take the $2000 winner's cheque.
The winner is by one of the current leading sires in Australia, Collision, out of one of the Madigans' bitches, Shalana Girl.
The Give Me Five heat of the Bull And Barley series was also taken out by one of the less-favoured runners.
Amika, trained by one of Grafton's good supporters, Marilyn Johnson, didn't begin that well but railed along the back straight to lead at the top turn from where she held her advantage to the line to win by a length and a half in 27.95. Like the Madigans, Marilyn and husband Ron bred and reared Amika so the win was really appreciated and she will be a worthy representative for the Northern Rivers in the $8000-to-the-winner final, particularly if she can draw near the rails.
This win was the first leg of a winning double for Marilyn as her runner Cool Cyclone won the Clarence Valley Ramblers heat of the Grafton to Lismore series.
Beginning well from box four, Cool Cyclone was too strong in the run home and beat the Sandy Robertson-trained Tranquil Command by four and three quarter lengths in 23.41.
If Tranquil Command could have won it would have given Sandy Robertson and his wife Cynthia three winners for the day as they had previously won two heats of the Grafton to Lismore series.
Tranquil Nat began well from box seven to win the Clarence Valley Sheds heat for Sandy by four and a quarter lengths from Firefly Saint, trained by Jason Grant, in 23.39, then Tranquil Black was very impressive in the Beaurepaires heat when he took the lead along the back straight and won by four and a half lengths from Bonnie Sal, trained by Peter Fuller, in the best time of the day 23.18.
The field for the final to be held at Lismore on November 17 is: Tranquil Nat, Firefly Saint, Tranquil Black, Bonnie Sal, Cool Cyclone, Tranquil Command, Lissino Lilly, Lissino Sal, 1st res One Believer and 2nd res Villa Rides.
The Grafton Club had an interesting visitor on Saturday.
Babbette Angel was here with her retired greyhound representing the Friends of the Hound Club. What made it interesting was the fact that the retired greyhound was a dog that really performed well at Grafton, Mister Jaydee.
Sam, as he is known now, mingled with the crowd, having his photo taken and getting plenty of pats; he has really settled into his new lifestyle well.
The Reg Gardoll-trained Sunshine Bill won the Greyhounds as Pets third and fourth grade when he bounced clear at the start and was never headed to score by a half length in 23.25.
Baby Bond was another to lead all the way for trainer Des Winters in the Barry Walters maiden, winning by two and three quarter lengths in 23.41.
Courtesy : John Corrigan, The Daily Examiner