Iona Seven Is The 2014 Paws Of Thunder Champion
An emotional Peter Riley has handled Iona Seven (6) to a win in the Group 1 Sportingbet Paws of Thunder. The Robert Britton trained bitch began well, registering a blistering 5.32 to the first mark. She never looked back and recorded a two length win in a personal best 29.56.
After numerous scratchings, Punch One Out (7) secured a start as first reserve. She started the race as favourite but was not able to match it with Iona Seven early, nor get her down the home straight. She ended up in second. Buckle Up Wes (4) didn't begin as well as last week, but still mustered enough speed to be up near the leader. He duelled with Punch One Out for much of the race and was beaten by one length for third.
This is Iona Seven's first Group 1 victory and she is sure to have made connections very proud. She was bred by Francois Sidrak and is owned by Michelle Sidrak. Her breeding is Swift Fancy-Iona Habit (Fenceline-Dancing Habit).