Struck Gold slashes PB in Warrnambool Vicbred Series heats
Struck Gold took out the first of three heats in the 390m Vicbred Series at Warrnambool on Thursday with a strong run-down performance.
The Gary Peach-trained chaser jumped as race favourite, paying $1.90 with online greyhound bookmakers.
Out of box one, he passed through the pack to hit the lead after leader Deadly Rookie was checked.
Deadly Rookie fell to the rear and finished fifth as a result.
Struck Gold ran on to win by 1.75 lengths in front of Aston Honey ($16) and Rebel Max ($12) in a time of 22.15.
It was the second consecutive win for the Aston Dee Bee x Weeping Lass dog as he smashed down his previous best time of 22.24.
He now has 19 wins and 14 placings from 46 career starts and has banked $55,580 in prize money for connections.
Vicbred Series 2023 Heat 1 replay – Struck Gold
In the second heat, the Anthony Azzopardi-trained Shot Of Red ($4.20) returned to the winner's circle for the first time since he saluted on March 30 at Warrnambool.
He took out his heat on his first look at the shorter 390m distance, beating home Top Payer ($6) and That's Ivy ($2.60) by two lengths in a time of 21.91.
The Whiskey Riot x Myrniong Lana dog has notched 10 wins and five placings from 27 career starts, racking up $39,660 in prize money.
Vicbred Series 2023 Heat 2 replay – Shot Of Red
In the last of three heats, Colden Mandella took the win after finishing runner-up in two previous tries over the track and trip.
The Tim Britton-trained dog started as race favourite, paying $2.80 odds with top greyhound betting sites.
Sofia Riot ($10) jumped best and got out to lead before Colden Mandella took over at the front.
He would lead the rest of the trip and beat home Nineteen Crimes ($4.60) and Jacket Potato ($6.50) by 1.25 lengths.
He won in a time of 21.88, which was the fastest of the heats and slashed down his previous best of 22.34 with the blistering run.
The Mepunga Cruzer x Colden Star chaser has six wins and four placings from 12 starts, with $16,325 in prize money earned.
He will now head into the final to be run on Thursday, August 17, with a $6,500-to-the-winner prize.