Upsets galore in Victorian National Sprint Series Heats at The Meadows
Three upsets were served up in the Victorian National Sprint Series heats run at The Meadows on Sunday, with three of the nation’s best chasers beaten over the 525m.
In the first heat the Brooke Ennis-trained Amron Boy was sent out as race favourite at $1.80 with online greyhound bookmakers.
After box rise, he landed midfield with Landyn Bale hitting the lead with Umberto in second.
Amron Boy worked through the field to throw down a last-minute challenge, but the Mark Delbridge-trained Landyn Bale held on to salute.
Landyn Bale won by 1.75 lengths paying $7.50, in front of Amron Boy and Aussie Rocks ($6), in a time of 30.02.
Victoria Sprint Series Heat 1 | 05/08/23 | Landyn Bale (1st) | T: 30.02
The Barcia Bale x Wanna Allen dog has 22 wins and 15 placings from 49 career starts and has cracked $141,315 in prize money.
He finished third in the Group 1 Silver Chief Final last year with Amron Boy taking the victory on that occasion.
In the second heat, Group 1 Sapphire Crown winner Baby Jaycee started as favourite paying $3.20 but was bumped and couldn’t recover for the win.
El Dorado, paying $4.40, got out from box three and led all the way to run on and win by four lengths.
Baby Jaycee made up ground late travelling wide but finished third behind the Daryl Holmes-trained winner and Yachi Bale ($15) in second.
El Dorado won in a time of 29.78.
Victoria Sprint Series Heat 2 | 05/08/23 | El Dorado (1st) | T: 29.78
The Mepunga Blazer x Gold Vein dog has lined up 55 times for 24 wins and 15 placings with $124,020 in prize money.
The third and final heat delivered the greatest upset from the heats with superstar Postman Pat finishing in third when sent out as $1.65 favourite.
The winner, Tinker Norm ($8.50) was predicted to be a threat and lived up to the hype.
On box rise, Postman Pat went to the lead with Afire joining him on the turn to battle it out.
As the field turned for home, Tinker Norm took over to lead and went on to win.
The Craig Burns-trained dog won by a length in front of Zippy Tesla ($14) and Postman Pat, in a time of 29.98.
Victoria Sprint Series Heat 3 | 05/08/23 | Tinker Norm (1st) | T: 29.98
The Orson Allen x Gawker Bale dog has 14 wins and 13 placings from 35 starts and edges closer to $60,000 in prize money.
He will now prepare to take on a classy field in the Victorian Final of the Nationals Sprint Series to be held on August 10 at The Meadows.