The Champ Is Back
Outstanding chaser Damek (Big Daddy Cool – World's Finest) was back doing what he does best at Tattersalls Park in Hobart on Tuesday afternoon – streeting his opposition in sensational time.
The Peter and June Phillips owned chaser had strung together ten successive victories in Tasmania during March and April, but then succumbed to both Sultan's Swing (Big Daddy Cool – Prestige Girl) and Mushy Peas (Shiokaze – Bouncy Bertha) during May and had not raced since.
“There were no excuses when he ran fourth to Sultan's Swing, he simply got into trouble in running, but when he ran second to Mushy Peas he had developed kennel cough within an hour or two of the race,” June Phillips explained this week.
This necessitated a spell, but the champ has now fully recovered and was awesome in winning the Right Price Meats Invitation (461 metres) on Tuesday afternoon.
Drawn in the black box he flew the lids and ran his rivals ragged, eventually winning by nine lengths in the time 25.91, on a track affected by wild weather and a heavy soaking of rain.
“To break 26 seconds under those circumstances was a great effort, he certainly has a big motor,” Mrs Phillips remarked.
Damek will have his next start at the NWGRC's meeting at the Devonport Raceway on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to continue on his winning way.
Meanwhile grand staying bitch Ming Dynasty (Chinatown Lad – Brandon Sky) made it three wins in quick succession at the Tote Racing Centre in Launceston on Monday night when she was successful in Heat 1 of the.tote.com.au Championship (720 metres).
The Susan Gittus prepared, Paul Felgate owned bitch ran on resolutely in the concluding stages to score impressively in the time of 43.97.
Heat 2 of the.tote.com.au Championship was won by veteran chaser Where's Ned (Where's Pedro – Stylish Dotty), an occupant of Tony Dawson's Relbia kennel.
Whelped in January 2007, he has proven to be a wonderful money-spinner for connections, winning 24 times and being placed on 48 occasions, while accumulating a purse of in excess of $45,000 in 121 trips to the races.
The clash of Ming Dynasty and Where's Ned in next weeks finale, should prove to be the highlight of the LGRC's Monday night meeting.
Meanwhile the previously mentioned Mushy Peas (Shiokaze – Bouncy Bertha) was also successful at Monday night's meeting, winning the Tote Evolution Rewards Invitation (515 metres) in the time of 30.45, on another rain affected track.
Owned by Ulverstone greyhound racing identity Mike Hardy and prepared by Leith mentor Gary Johnson, Mushy Peas has now won 19 of 64 lifetime outings while taking stakes of in excess of $37,000.
“Mushy Peas has proven to be a pretty smart conveyance and is a pleasure to train,” Johnson revealed.
“He races best at the Devonport Raceway and will be back there next Tuesday afternoon trying for another win.”