Whitney Says Chinatown Lad Okay Despite Slow Trial
A number of Group 1 Radio Sport 927 Sandown Cup contenders had their final hit out tonight as they prepare for the heats of Australia's richest ever staying race.
On a chilly night at Sandown Park, Chinatown Lad jumped from box 4 in a trial between races and completed his first ‘half-mile' gallop since November 2008 in 42.70.
“I was happy with the run,” said trainer Shane Whitney.
“We flew in today and had some blood taken and found he was a little dehydrated.
“The important thing is he seems to have come through OK. His hock is fine, no heat at all, and the run will do him the world of good. We'll fly in next Wednesday to give us plenty of time to get him ready for his heat.”
In race 7, Headley Bale announced herself as a genuine Sandown Cup contender in her impressive 6.5 length win. Making her Sandown Park debut, the Andrea Dailly trained bitch began well and settled third before weaving past the leaders coming off the back straight and powering to the line in a slick 42.27.
Meanwhile glamour bitch Queen Lauryn's Sandown Cup preparation remains on track despite being beaten into third place over 600m at Albion Park. ‘The Queen' was checked early from box 2 and endured a torrid run throughout before unleashing an impressive finishing burst to finish third.
It was a similar story for Risk It at Angle Park, beginning only fairly before railing strongly in the run to the line to also finish third.
The heats of the $143,000 Group 1 Radio Sport 927 will be drawn on Monday and available from 1.00pm.
The Sandown Greyhound Racing Club is offering free entry to the final on Thursday 14 May. For more information, visit www.sandowngreyhounds.com.au, or call (03) 9546 9511.
[…] been drawn to start from box 5 in the 5th heat of the Sandown Cup, heading in to the race on the back of four middle distance runs against weak opposition that saw here snare the Ipswich 630m track record, before failing last start at Albion […]