Half Sisters Quinella Casino Final
It was a case of history repeating itself when half sisters Green Lee and Surin' Sal met in the Mills Bricks and Pavers Sprint final last Friday. In the heat they came from boxes two and seven, and again in the final Green Lee got the coveted rails while Surin' Sal was drawn in six.
The box draw proved the difference with Green Lee sprearing out from inside while Surin' Sal was slightly held up in “traffic”. They raced in first and second place from the first turn, but with the early advantange Green Lee was able to hold on by a length.
The time of 23.08 was the best of the sprint races.
Brian and Beryl Stephens train Green Lee for long time clients Margaret and Stan Springer, and the three and a half year old is certainly racing with a “spring in her step” having recorded three wins in a row.
Trevor Salmoni had the early maiden part of the program to himself, landing a race to race double. Giddy Up George atoned for two second placings when he made a determined run through the pack to grab the lead in the back straight. Going right on with the job, he scored by three lengths clocking 23.49. Thunder Royal then came out running and got a big break down the back before running 23.58 in a 1 1/2 length win.
Supreme Allegro kept up her top class form when she won the Westlawn Finance stake for Neville Robson. The speedy Mystical Mandy took up the front running, but Supreme Allegro railed through on the circle to race away and win her third race in a row. The time of 27.18 was a personal best, and not far off the track record of Azure Allegro, another of Neville's breed.
A 50/1 chance blew punters away when Night Marc took out the Casino RSM Club distance stake. A recent good trialler at the track, she was unwanted in the betting but at the winning post with a lap to go she was “high flying” in front. She kept her momentum going for owner / trainer Laurie Walker, and won by 3 3/4 lengths in a handy 35.64.
Reserve runner Lucky Rose Hi raced outside the leader Tylah's Impact all of the way and proved too strong in 23.19 for Trevor Thompson, whilst Super Trump continued his good Casino form by winning the Casino Smash Repairs stake in 23.20 for Helen and Peter Simpson.
The Robbie Andrews and Jason Fredericks combination were again to the fore when Short Crust began brilliantly and held on to win in 27.71, and Bibsy Boo came home stoutly to record a 1/2 length victory in 27.86 for Jeff Ahern.
In other events, Midnight Surf led throughout at her first look at the track running 27.47 for Reg Hazelgrove; the well bred For A While repeated her win of last meeting clocking 23.20, and first starter Up And Go overcame box five in a two length win in 27.85 for Darren Russell and the Seven Mocks Syndicate.
Casino have a strong card of racing again this Friday afternoon.