On Coin Makes His Return In Group Two All Star Sprint
He's back! WA's fastest bred chaser On Coin is making his second return from injury this year in the heats of the Group Two All Star Sprint at Cannington. He has spent two months on the sidelines nursing a tendon injury, with rest the best method of recovery for Crossley's excitable chaser
Don't let time away from the racetrack discourage you. After three months away from the track at the start of the year when he tore his shoulder muscle off the bone, On Coin came back just as quick as before recording 30.31 first up in a heat of the Lew Dorsa and then took out the final in a sizzling 30.10. But it gets better, at just his third start back the son of Primo Uno – West On Lee broke the magical 30-second barrier for the second time clocking 29.94.
“It looks like he is the kind of dog that likes time away from the track. He has had bad injures at bad times”, trainer John Crossley explains.
On Coin's shoulder injury prevented him from accepting his invitation to the 2014 Group One Temlee at the start of the year. Crossley felt the same heartache last week when he had to decline his invitation to the Group One Topgun, which is set to run on Saturday the 25th of October at The Meadows.
“I wasn't able to accept the invitation for the Topgun which was a shame. I couldn't have trialled him any earlier than I did so it wouldn't have worked out. He would have had to fly over and trial around The Meadows first because he hasn't seen the track. He hasn't travelled before either so I don't know how he will handle it.”
Crossley is going into Saturday night All Star heats with an air of confidence after On Coin broke 17 seconds trialling over the shorts (297 metres) on Monday night.
“He pulled up good after the trial, he is back on now!”
Crossley believes that his biggest challenge will come from Paul Stuart's Coconut Grove after drawing box four in the third heat of the night.
With $40,000 up for grabs in next week's final, box draws hold great significance with a lot of early speed coming from the inside of the track. Running first or second in the heats on Saturday night will secure a rug in the following weeks final. The two fastest third placing's will make up the reserves who will be hoping for the late call up.
Heat One – 8.25pm
Tiggerlong Amigo is returning to Cannington after taking out the Group Two WA Derby in May for Darren McDonald. This time around he has drawn box two, which will help in his endeavours to find the rails. In his previous two starts at Cannington he has hit the line strongly, which should see his as a real danger even if he misses the start.
Astronomic has drawn the cherry in the first heat of the night for trainer Paul Stuart. The son of Cosmic Rumble – Right On Ruby is yet to win upon return from a successful nine-start stint in Victoria with Darren McDonald, winning on three occasions and placing on five others. His first start back on WA soil saw him jump from box eight and get held wide, unable to get into the race. He made the trip to Mandurah to contest in the Mandurah Cup heats, but was stuck on the outside of the track again, missing out on a run in the final. This week he will appreciate the inside box which should see him camp on the rails with a very real chance of winning.
Takahashi has found herself in box four for the second week in a row. After returning from injury last week running second, the superstar stayer will be fitter for the run. It's a given that she will be coming home strongly so expect her to be right up there come time to cross the finish line.
Heat Two – 8.42pm
Luba Monelli is dropping back in distance in second heat jumping from box one. The speedy beginner will more then appreciate the inside box which should allow her to camp on the rails and take out the race. If Luba Monelli feels the pressure early from You Can Dream (box two) it will be a very different story come time to cross the line.
You Can Dream is jumping from box two for the second week in a row. The quick beginner has been in fine form lately in Free For All company over the 530. Two weeks ago she made the 642 metre distance her own by leading all the way to win in her second appearance over the distance. She loves the inside boxes which should give her the helping hand to win this heat.
Proven Will is better suited closer to the rails but has shown on numerous occasions that he can win from anywhere. His last two starts at Mandurah over the 490 metre distance saw him looking for more ground at the finish line, so the return to Cannington should see him rearing to go. If he comes out of the boxes cleanly he is a real possibility to take the race out at decent odds.
Heat Three – 9.02pm
On Coin is jumping from box four on return; with seven starts for four wins wearing the blue rug. odds are in his favour. With injury time to freshen up away from the track he should be out of the boxes cleanly, his only issue could be his race fitness heading into the home straight.
Coconut Grove won impressively on debut last week from box three. With another inside draw the 36 kilo dog should only improve. Last week he crossed straight to the fence, with You For Real on his inside it could mean trouble out of the boxes for the duo.
You For Real has drawn perfectly in box one. Last week she jumped from box three and went straight to the rails out of the boxes. She will need to lead by plenty early because there are a number of strong dogs that will be making ground.
Heat Four – 9.17pm
Thunder Rama had no luck in the Mandurah Cup last week after putting in an impressive win in the heats. His early speed when he hits the ground should dismiss the awkward box six on his return the Cannington. His consistent Cannington form sees him right in the race, with a good chance of winning if he gets out of the boxes cleanly.
My Mate Cobber is a lightly raced chaser with just 17 starts to his name but don't let his inexperience bother you, after returning from injury he has produced numerous 30.30 performances that have proven he has the talent. The litter brother to Star Recall is starting from box seven and will hopefully jump better than his last start over the distance.
Coxie is a sneaky chance of taking out this heat from box eight. He defied the odds in the WA Bred Championship three starts ago by defeating a hot field. Box eight will make things a little bit harder for the Joe Dailly trainer chaser but you can't discourage this greyhound.
Despite the glow of Group Two heat racing on Saturday night at headquarters, all talk and eyes will be on the return of WA bred royalty, On Coin in the third heat. Although there is just the one greyhound that made the trip interstate to try their luck in the Group event (Tiggerlong Amigo), WA will have their hands full.
Shame no zelemar fever or star recall but that’s racing. Still some fantastic dogs going round though
Shame no zelemar fever or star recall but that’s racing. Still some fantastic dogs going round though