Power And Glory shines as Golden Easter Egg final field set
The stage is set for the 2025 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg Final after a thrilling night of semi-final action at Wentworth Park.
Four competitive heats delivered a mix of shock results, elite performances, and tight finishes as eight greyhounds booked their spot in next Saturday night’s $300,000-to-the-winner feature.
Power And Glory was the star of the night, producing a blistering 29.23 to clock the fastest time of the semis and now shares $3.80 second favouritism with the top greyhound bookmakers.
He joins front-runner Good Odds Cobber ($3.80), who held off Jungle Johnny in a strong 29.35 display. Despite defeat, Jungle Johnny firmed into outright favouritism at $3.50, with Mark Gatt now holding two live chances in the final.
The biggest upset came from Taormina, who led throughout in a personal best 29.44 at double-figure odds and is rated a $12.00 outsider in the final.
Meanwhile, evergreen campaigner Gets Late Early stormed home in 29.84 to claim the final semi — and is the longest shot in the market at $26.00, but not without hope.
Also through to the final are Kisses For Gran ($6.00), Lakeview Emily ($6.50), and Reality Best ($31.00), while Big Energy sits at $4.50 as first reserve in case of a late scratching.
The all-important box draw will take place Tuesday night at the Marsden Brewhouse, alongside the Association Cup Final draw.
Catch up on each semi-final below — full results, interviews, replays, and breakdowns:
Wentworth Park Golden Easter Egg semi final reviews
Golden Easter Egg semi final 1: Good Odds Cobber (29.35)
Good Odds Cobber booked his spot in next Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Easter Egg Final with a brilliant front-running display in 29.35, continuing a long-range plan from trainer Frank Hurst that’s been in motion since the start of the year.
Stepping smartly from box eight, the son of Fernando Bale carved across the field early and was never headed, holding off Jungle Johnny by just over two lengths.
“He’s a great dog — when he turns up, he turns up to race,” Hurst said post-race.
“He takes no prisoners and hides from no one.”
While Jungle Johnny chased gallantly after copping early trouble, and Flying Zulu boxed on for third, the win was all about Good Odds Cobber, who has now won 36 of his 62 career starts and looks primed to give Hurst another shot at the race he’s always wanted to win.
“We’ve run third with Fancy Mandy and second with Good Odds Cash,” Hurst said.
“Hopefully they put the one up this time.”
A winner of over $827,000 in prizemoney, Cobber continues the legacy of the Hurst kennel — and shapes as a major player heading into next week’s $300,000-to-the-winner final.
Golden Easter Egg semi final 2: Taormina (29.44)
Taormina delivered a personal best performance to cause the second upset of the night, leading all the way in 29.44 to win Semi Final 2 of the Golden Easter Egg and book her place in next Saturday’s $300,000-to-the-winner final.
Spearing out from box five, the Jodie Lord-trained bitch showed dazzling early speed and had the race in her keeping by the first turn.
“She’s just got burning pace, and she’s getting stronger and stronger,” said handler Hayley Gilbert.
“Since the Futurity, she’s matured, she’s blossomed — she’s really found her feet.”
Sent out at $14, the daughter of Fernando Bale gave her rivals no chance once in front, holding off Reality Best by three lengths, with Big Energy grinding home for third.
It was a satisfying win for connections, with Lord also training 2022 Easter Egg winner She’s A Pearl.
“She’s run a PB tonight, so that was good,” Gilbert added.
“It’d be really nice for Pat and Connie [Sofra] to win it — they’ve got a chance now.”
With early pace, track experience, and further improvement to come, Taormina will head into the final as a genuine threat to deliver another Group 1 for the Lord kennel.
Golden Easter Egg semi final 3: Power And Glory (29.23)
Power And Glory exploded onto the big stage with a sensational 29.23 win in the third semi-final of the Golden Easter Egg, clocking the fastest time of the night and announcing himself as a major contender for the $300,000 decider.
The Ken Burnett-trained powerhouse stalked early leader Lakeview Emily before unleashing a devastating finish around the final bend.
“He jumped well, landed in a great spot, and then showed his power late — it was a ripping win,” Burnett said.
It was a massive statement from the son of Hooked On Scotch, who has long been regarded as one of the most naturally gifted greyhounds in NSW.
Known for recording the fastest post-to-post time ever at Wenty, Burnett’s pre-race hopes of drawing wide for the final now feel justified.
“He was able to negotiate Lakeview Emily, who has brilliant speed, and once he got that clear air, it was game over.”
Lakeview Emily was brave in defeat, finishing three lengths adrift in second, with outsider Tyler Fly High running the race of his life into third.
But all honours were with Power And Glory, who has peaked at the right time.
Golden Easter Egg semi final 4: Gets Late Early (29.84)
Veteran campaigner Gets Late Early stormed home to win the most competitive of the Golden Easter Egg semis, booking her place in next Saturday’s Group 1 final with a gutsy 29.84 victory.
The Minnie Finn-trained chaser settled midfield but came wide with a powerful run to sweep past the leaders late.
“I didn’t really like her drawn on the inside — she needs to get to the outside,” Finn said post-race.
“But I don’t know what the leaders were doing up front. When she came around the turn and got going, I thought she might just get there.”
Despite a preference for a wide draw, Gets Late Early made full use of her strength and determination to reel in Kisses For Gran, who had swept around early to share the lead but couldn’t hold off the closer.
It was a proud moment for Finn, who has trained her share of feature winners but still has the hunger for more.
“You can’t win sittin’ at home in the kennel,” she added.
“We know she’s got ability — it’s just about catching the right night. Hopefully she draws out wide next week, and we’ll give her a freshen-up.”
It’s another Group 1 final for the daughter of Flying Ricciardo and Poco Dorado, and if she gets room to move next Saturday, don’t be surprised if she’s finishing right over the top again.