Back-To-Back For West On Lee Litter In Cliffhanger Memorial Final.
John Crossley has taken out the 2012 Sandy's Me Mum Memorial final at Cannington with an amazing come-from-behind victory by Surf A Coin. The win makes in back-to-back victories for the Surf Lorian-West on Lee litter after West on Max was the 2011 champion.
Beaten in its heat last week by Vocal Enforcer, Surf A Coin was given some chance by punters to turn the tables on the reigning W.A greyhound of the year from box three, but it took every inch of the 530m trip in order to get the job done.
The race itself was an entertaining one, with both Vocal Enforcer and Surf A Coin starting as favourites and both beginning poorly. It was Valdharee who sprung out the boxes with the most zest to lead in the opening stages, while Bomber Command was eyeballing it alongside. However the race changed complexion when Al's Special got tangled up from box one, causing many of the wide runners, including the heavily backed Mini Emily, to cop interference.
This created a dream run for Vocal Enforcer, who shot through to join Valdharee up front, with Surf A Coin following it through and sweating on a chance to impose itself.
The strong Kalden Athena looked like putting itself in the race as the field reached the top turn, while Valdharee started to feel the pinch.
Upon straightening, Vocal Enforcer had made a dash for the line, but had run up the track ever so slightly in doing so. Surf A Coin didn't need telling twice to rail up and pounced, becoming equal leader with 50m to run. Kalden Athena struggled gamely to stay in touch but it was now a two-dog battle.
With heads bobbing, Surf a Coin and Vocal Enforcer whipped past the post as one, with barely a margin visible to the naked eye. Upon inspection of the replay, and with the help of the photo-finish technology, Surf a Coin was declared the victor, and to trainer John Crossley went the spoils.
Surf A Coin has been a real ‘bread-and-butter' dog since beginning its career in mid-2010, having now had 77 career starts, all but one around the metropolitan circuit. The dog has won over the 530m, 642m and 715m journeys, amongst his 20 wins, many in top company. His versatility and consistent results would be the envy of many, while the career prize money total hovers slightly under $120,000. Being a September 2008 whelping there still looks to plenty more cash due to find its way into the account before his time is up.
Racing purists will be glad to see Vocal Enforcer put together another decent run second-up after an injury-forced layoff, while it would pay to forget Mini Emily's performance after her chances were blown on the first corner.