Gazza Shiraz Looks Good In Casino Cup Heats
Gazza Shiraz set the time standard of 27.29 in winning his heat of the Charcoal Inn Casino Cup last Friday. Usually a good beginner, he was a little tardy on box rise, but threaded his way through to grab the front at the top turn. He raced away to win impressively by 3 3/4 lengths. He is trained by the old master Paul Cauchi for local owner Terry Jordan.
The John Free trained Brad Rail recorded the next best time of 27.37. He is the record holder over 411 metres here, but he ran out the 484 metres in strong fashion to win by 5 3/4 lengths.
Tequila Breeze also won by 5 3/4 lengths and clocked 27.47 for Toni and Charlie Northfield. They are hoping for a change of luck as they trained Kingbrae Di who has been the runner up in the last two Casino Cups.
Well performed Queenslander Kay Size State just nudged out local Ellie Vista in 27.48, and Tycoons Charm ran 27.55 to win by 2 1/2 lengths. To round of the heats, Darren Russel's Gelegnite Kid ran 27.50 to continue his good form. With not much covering the field on times, it should be an exciting event to witness next Friday.
The Ranvet stake went to Jim Madigan's Bobalong Friend who showed great chasing ability to win. Even though he had the coveted one box, he was pushed back in the field when the outside dogs crossed, and was worse than midfield as they went into the back. He darted in and out of greyhounds in his pursuit of the lure, and got to the lead on the circle. Getting into top gear, he raced away to score by 1 1/4 lengths in 23.30.
There were two distance events on the card and Leumeah Way came from well back to win in 36.43 for John Dart, and Ebony Enforcer also came home strongly to clock 36.32.
The maiden races went to Curious Pleasure who ran 23.36 after being well placed throughout; High Speed Hero who clocked 27.92 for Dean Turley, and Mercedes Rose continued John Mc Grory's good trot when she ran 28.33.
The October racing carnival continues this Friday afternoon with the final of the Charcoal Inn Casino Cup and the heats of the Westlawn Finance sprint series.