Sir Banjo in perfect tune with Rockhampton fifth-grade win
Sir Banjo took out a fifth-grade final at Rockhampton on Wednesday after an impressive heat win last week.
The Ken Boody-trained dog was sent out race favourite in the 510m final, paying $2.15 with online greyhound bookmakers.
He jumped cleanly from the five box and used the centre alley to hit the lead, with Crème De Monte ($34) throwing down the challenge two lengths behind.
Sir Banjo had the break on the bend and ran on to win by three lengths in front of Skill Set ($4.60) and Crème De Monte.
He ran the journey in a time of 29.83, having set his personal best of 29.69 last week when winning his heat by two lengths in front of Guru Bart and Crème De Monte.
Rockhampton R8 replay – Sir Banjo
Sir Banjo's owner, Jaycin Campbell, said he was happy with the run.
“It looked his race on paper last night due to the lack of speed and a wide runner outside of him,” he said.
“Last two races he's found the arm.
“He's gone sub-30 at Wentworth Park, and lining up his potential Rockhampton times we were expecting him to be a 29.7-8 dog, so there's no surprise.
“He has probably taken a bit longer to get down to that time due to his box draws, but he's had middle draws every start for us barring two races.
“He's due an inside box.
“We'll see him next in a heat of the Townsville Cup.
“Ken's going up there with a team and he'll have a trial prior.
“I'd expect him to run 28.5-6 there.”
Trainer Boody confirmed Campbell's thoughts.
“He's been really sound mate but has been plagued by middle boxes since he has come north,” he said.
“But he has found a couple of races lately where there hasn't been a lot of early pace so he's landed on the bunny.
“He will now head to Townsville and get a run in the cup heats and see how he goes.
“He would have to draw a low box to be any realistic chance to qualify but we can only try.”
Sir Banjo's career highlights include a runner-up finish in this year's Bundaberg Young Guns Final 460m, a third-placing in the Bundaberg Young Guns Final 531m, and a runner-up in a Group 1 National Derby heat in January.
The Zamora Brockie x El Rapido dog has 12 wins and 18 placings from 42 starts, banking $59,560 for connections.