Rockstar Image Puts 5 On End
Lining up against a form field in the $1510 Yagoona Greyhound Supporters Club Central West Challenge Final (520m), Rockstar Image ($1.70) was sent out a raging hot favourite to register his fifth straight win and he made no mistake, overcoming some early strife to get clear and sprint away by a whopping 10-and-a-quarter lengths.
Felicity Lane ($20.40) surprised in second, while Macbai The Sea ($16.80) ran on gamely for third just a short head further back.
Jumping from box seven, the winner was tested early by Flying Esther who showed good pace to lead into the turn.
With 300 metres to run, it was Rockstar Image who stamped his authority on the race and almost waltzed through along the rail and began to pull away.
By the final turn the race was as good as over as the Nicholas Healey-trained red fawn dog took his career earnings over the $4,600-mark.
Since a fourth at Maitland in late June, the dog has been nigh on untouchable, winning five straight races the last three of which have been by 11, seven and 10 lengths respectively.
His time was not his best (30.42) but was of no concern after it was revealed the dog was nearly a non-starter.
“He had a bit of an accident last Friday and bumped his knee, we were close to scratching him which would have been disappointing. He was a bit of a moral,” Healey said.
“I was still as nervous as anything, it's probably worse when he is odds-on. I'd rather be the underdog I think.
“He is a really special dog though and it would be good to see him go further.”
Healey said after he contests another final in the Central West Challenge series in a fortnight at Bathurst, he will take the dog to Wentworth Park and even went as far as predicting a group one start.
“We want to take him down there to Wenty and take on the good dogs, and if he can hold his own there is a group one race there next month,” Healey said.
“You have got to be in it to win it I suppose.”
Last night's result takes Rockstar Image's career record to six wins and two placings from nine starts, and judging by the way he demolished a quality field despite being under an injury cloud he has plenty more to add to that record.
Courtesy : Sam Debenham, Western Advocate