Lagoon Lowanna Looks For Success In Ladies Bracelet Final
Beginning brilliantly from the blue in her heat last Saturday, the chaser quickly landed in front and dominated the event, stretching out to win by six lengths in a blistering 29.82 seconds. The daughter of Where's Pedro and Lagoon Smylee has certainly hit a purple patch of form over recent weeks winning three of her last four starts at the Ultimo circuit including an all the way demonstration where she clocked a scintillating 29.68 seconds for the 520 metre distance.
Described as the kennel star, Webster is quietly confident of the speedster's chance in this week's final, “She is an amazing little bitch and although box six is a worry, if she begins as well as she has been lately she will be a major chance”.
The 28 kilogram powerhouse certainly knows how to begin well, clocking some breathtaking first section splits over the past month including a near record 5.30 seconds just three starts ago whilst she pinged out in a hot 5.32 seconds last week. These sectionals should see her up near the lead on the first turn, and with a strong middle section and solid run home, she will be hard to run down should she land in front.
With a field of terrific runners, Webster rates fastest qualifier Purcell Bale as the biggest threat particularly after coming up with the coveted cherry box for the lucrative final. The recent Queensland Futurity winner is trained by the legendary Graeme Bate and oozes class as demonstrated last week at her track debut clocking a scorching 29.71 seconds from box four.
What makes qualifying for the final with Lagoon Lowanna much more special is the fact that Sharron and her husband Ray bred the talented bitch from a line they have established which started with their first greyhound Magic Grove in 2000. Magic Grove was brought from the astute Bruce Fletcher and was a multiple Wentworth Park winner for the Webster's before being retired to the breeding barn. Magic Grove went on to throw some handy performers headlined by top class greyhounds Jedd Lion and Spiral Magic, whilst many of her daughters have themselves turned into valuable broodbitches. One such brood bitch is Gondola Serenade who has produced multiple city winners herself as well as the dam of Lagoon Lowanna, Lagoon Smylee.
Whilst race eight will be the most anticipated race for Webster this Saturday, she will also line up talented pups Lagoon Eastwood and Where's Wob who both recorded city victories last Friday night.
Lagoon Eastwood will be appearing from box six in race two where he comes up against a classy field including Indiana Izmir, Slick ‘Em Son and Velvet Fog. Despite the sharp rise in class from last week, the son of Where's Pedro and Angel Doll went fantastic on Friday when saluting in 30.30 seconds, with Webster elated with his win “ I was happy with how he went but I wasn't surprised as he has just had a lot of bad luck lately and his runs have been enormous so I have been waiting for the night and I knew he would pay well”. The 34 kilogram heavyweight is capable of running time but will definitely have to begin from the poor draw on Saturday night to be a chance in the event. Lagoon Eastwood was also bred by the Webster's with his dam Angel Doll, trained by Ray when representing NSW in the 2006 National Distance Championship finishing down the track to the great Bothing.
Also lining up on Saturday is Where's Wob who faces a difficult mission in race five against four other last start winners including Mark Long's flying chaser Tourmalet although he has drawn favourably in box two. The blue sprinter is from the outstanding Where's Pedro x Ramblin' Ruby litter which includes John Finn's super bitch Winsome Charlee, with Webster rating him just as good as his well-known sister, “He injured his wrist in a race late last year and has been off before finding trouble at his first start back at Bulli last month, but we have kept working on him and he is absolutely flying”.
“He is a very good dog- He broke in very well and has a big future. We couldn't be happier with him”. With such a huge opinion of the dog, it should come as no surprise if Where's Wob manages to figure in the finish this weekend.
With the kennel experiencing a great run at present, Webster still remains down to earth and truly passionate about her love for the sport, “We have had a lot of high points but we pride ourselves on our dogs and we really love them and find that a win at Goulburn is still as exciting as a win at Wenty”.
With such a genuine and positive outlook, Webster also shares what it would feel like if Lagoon Lowanna, or Fran as she is affectionately known can cross the line first in the final this week, “ It would be absolutely fantastic. The money is a bonus, but for my little girl who we bred to win- expect tears! I will be a mess because it will mean to world to us. She has been so close in group races and is right at her peak now and doing everything right”.
“It's a great field but we know she can do it, we are just hoping she can put it all together on the night. She is very special to me and is so loved and adored- she has the best character and she deserves to win a group race”.
All will be revealed this Saturday night when the lids fly open for the $25,000 feature which is race eight on a stellar race card.