Victorian trainers Lee Moore and Michelle Carruthers unveil promising Imani at Shepparton
Bendigo, Victoria greyhound trainers Lee Moore and Michelle Carruthers unveiled a potential rising star on the Victorian provincial greyhound racing scene at Shepparton on Tuesday, when Imani won on debut over the 385m trip in 21.77 best-of-day.
Facing the starter for the first time in Race 1 at Shepparton on Tuesday, Imani was paying as much as +250 with greyhound bookmakers when betting opened on the maiden race; but was smashed in to start as a -500 odds-on favourite by start time.
Starting from box eight, the daughter of Whiskey Riot and Alcyone, missed the start but still had the class to race around the field and dominate the race.
Imani hit the line suggesting that 385m is just the beginning, winning by a widening 10.6 lengths in the best of the day (21.77).
Shepparton Maiden June 27 2023 (385m) – Imani (21.77) T: Lee Moore
While Imani's winning time is someway off the 21.20 Shepparton 385m track record set by Blue Tungsten in January 2023, there was a lot to like about the way the black bitch made amends for a poor getaway to surge to the lead early.
Bred by Daniel and Beverley Pell, Imani is out of seven-time winning Victorian middle distance dam Alcyone, who is a daughter of Barcia Bale.
While Alcyone's first two litters to Cosmic Prince and Over Limit produced winners, it would be fair to say that her current Whiskey Riot litter has thus far produced the most exciting progeny.
From the Whiskey Riot litter of three dogs and six bitches, three of the girls have so far raced and all have won.
Imani's kennelmate and litter sister, Keisha, has been to the races twice for a maiden debut win (22.27), and a second in the subsequent maiden final at Shepparton over 385m.
Zadie, who races in Michelle Carruthers' name, was another from the litter to debut at Shepparton on Tuesday, and was an easy maiden winner over the 450m journey in a brilliant 25.06.
Shepparton Maiden June 27 2023 (450m) – Zadie (25.06) T: Michelle Carruthers
The run was just over a length outside the best-of-the-day for the 450m distance, stamping Zadie as another from the litter who might be as talented as Imani.
While Zadie did everything right and began quickly, the run from Imani looks to be the one with the most upside, especially if she can fix her starts.
Although only training a small team, trainers Lee Moore and Michelle Carruthers, are no strangers to greyhound racing success; having trained Orlando to a Group 1 Australian Cup final in 2022 at The Meadows.
All three of the Alcyone litter under their care – Imani, Zadie, and Keisha; will be worth watching as they progress through the grades in the coming months.