Up Hill Jill sensational in Warrnambool Classic semi-final
SENSATIONAL sprinter Up Hill Jill proved once again why she is one of the best youngsters in training on Wednesday night when scoring an emphatic victory in her semi-final of the Group 2 Warrnambool Classic (450m).
Starting from box six in the third qualifier, Up Hill Jill began well and showed tremendous burn in the run to the corner, finding the front and sprinting clear of her rivals.
In the home straight, the daughter of Premier Fantasy and Where's Demonica was in a race of her own, crossing the line four lengths clear of Our Turbo Boy (box four) in a fast 25.16.
It was a sensational effort from the David Geall-trained bitch which came into the series last Wednesday just four days after competing in the final of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.
Up Hill Jill has now won 16 of her 30 starts with an additional 10 minor placings.
There was a massive upset in the second semi-final, with dual group 1 winner Lightning Frank defeated as a $1.10 chance. The star greyhound missed the kick off box six as $12 shot Kumbia Lass (box two) railed through to take the early lead.
Around the turn Lightning Frank got held up, but began storming home down the centre of the track in the home straight. However, Kumbia Lass had too big of a break, gripping on to score by just under half a length in 25.59.
Because he ran second, Lightning Frank will get the chance to redeem himself in the final.
Langton, who trains Kumbia Lass, will be represented by two greyhounds in the Warrnambool Classic final, with Rig Fifty Five saluting in the fourth semi-final.
The black dog was poorly away from box two, but used the inside draw to perfection, railing through into second spot around the turn before slipping into top gear in the home straight.
In the run to the line the son of Oaks Road and Full Noise Turbo proved too good for early leader Premier Zed (box one), saluting by one and a half lengths in 25.56.
The remaining semi-final was taken out by team Thompson, with Bewildering justifying his short $1.60 price tag.
The 33-kilogram chaser was well away from box seven, but was beaten for speed by Papa Chippy (first reserve) and Miss Morriset (box six) which checked the favourite around the turn.
With two greyhounds in front of him, Bewildering switched back to the inside and put the paw to the floor, assuming the lead on the corner and sprinting clear to win in 25.40.
The Group 2 Warrnambool Classic is worth $75,000 and will be run next Wednesday night.
Group 2 Warrnambool Classic – box draw
1 – Lightning Frank
2 – Moneypenny
3 – Rig Fifty Five
4 – Kumbia Lass
5 – Our Turbo Boy
6 – Premier Zed
7 – Up Hill Jill
8 – Bewildering
Reserves
9 – Bushman's Poem
10 – Anustar