Palawa King a stayer on the rise after Origin Greyhound Series win
Palawa King strengthened his credentials as a genuine star stayer taking out the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance Final at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Over the 710m journey, Palawa King started as the $3 favourite with betting sites, off the back of winning his heat of the Group 3 Carnival Chase, before a fourth-place finish in the final.
One of Jedda Cutlack’s pair of runners, Sunburst ($61), exploded to the lead in the first Origin series feature, before being overtaken by Blue Hornet ($8) who led for most of the trip.
On the final turn, Palawa King used his powerful finishing ability to storm home to take the $100,000 purse, on his first go at the 710m trip.
He ran the journey in 41.73, in a performance that brought a tear to the eye of co-trainer Maree Smith.
“It means so much to us,” she said.
“For Palawa King, for the owners, for Jack and I, and for Feral Franky (the sire).”
The Raymond ‘Jack’ Smith trained chaser’s career has seen him line up 36 times for 14 wins, 12 placings and $226,730 in prize money.
It is little surprise Palawa King is talented given his bloodline. His sire, Feral Franky is a four-time group race winner including a victory in the G1 Peters Classic Final in 2019.
Since going to stud Feral Franky has thrown progeny that has lined up in 5109 starts for 877 wins, bagging $4.2 million in prize money led by Kelsey Bale, the reigning Country Cups Queen.
Feral Franky previously took the Origin Shield for NSW in the Match Race, making the win for his offspring so much sweeter, as Maree Smith said.
“It’s very exciting and another win for Franky,” she said.
Palawa King ($10) will now target the Group 1 Queensland Cup 710m on July 7, with a $175,000 purse going to the winner.