Paul Stuart Keeps Both Group 1’s On Home Soil
On what eventuated as a memorable night in the history of Australian greyhound racing, Nambeelup trainer, Paul Stuart will be sitting on cloud nine this morning, with both the Galaxy and Perth Cup trophies on his bedside table.
The young man has been in the spotlight more than ever before with Miata travelling around the country, and that attention is set to grow after his $224,000 payday at Cannington last night with three winners, including both the state's Group 1 titles.
Race five was the Sky Racing Galaxy for which Miata was looking to claim the Australian stakemoney record, and go back-to-back in the nation's second richest staying event. She would start the race unbackable favourite at $1.10, with Pedro's finest ($10.00) and South Aussie Kalden Mayhem ($12.00) given the only chance to knock her off, after the two heats were conducted last week.
It's seems fair to say the result of the race as known less than a second after boxrise, when the fawn bitch was the first to hit the ground, leading clearly and setting a frantic pace up front. Running past the winning post with a lap to go, she had already extended out a ten length margin, with a sectional of 15.45 and all waited in readiness of seeing something pretty special.
Off the back, and the margin was about ten lengths, with Hogmania holding second place. Pedro's Finest was battling away in large pack with Kalden Mayhem spotting the leader around 20 lengths towards the tail – a bridge that appeared too big to cross.
Once the field had straightened for home, Miata's strength was on full display, with the margin blowing out to over 14 lengths. The crowd present on course, as well as those watching around the nation on Sky, had seen the mighty bitch eclipse High Earner's stakemoney record to become the most financially successful dog our sport has ever seen. The brilliant performance lasted 41.48 seconds, marginally outside her 41.30 record set last year in the same race.
Hogmania and Pedro's Finest fought out the minor ends of the podium, with Hogmania for Greg Martin holding on for runner-up duties, while Pedro's Finest ran a nice race in third for John Iwanyk.
As is well documented, the daughter of Bombastic Shiraz and Winsome Bluebird has now over $670,000 in the bank, with five Group one titles, and more track records that be counted on one-hand, including all three distances at Cannington.
She now travels back to Melbourne to contest the invitation-only Zoom Top, where the likes of Bell Haven, He Knows Uno, Destini Fireball and Thrilling Brat await. Miata will line-up in box four for the event next Saturday night, and will most likely start very short favourite once again, despite the big rise in class from the Galaxy final.
Once the buzz of seeing Miata demolish her rivals had simmered, it was time for the premier sprinting event in W.A, the Sky Racing Perth Cup, carrying $140,000 to the winner. Paul Stuart had already picked up another winner between the two big finals, with Military Power winning a Canning Stake with a strong performance.
However, despite Miata and Military Power, his night had only just begun, as young sprinter Dyna Nalin was about to win a very entertaining Perth Cup, and launch what could potentially be a very prosperous sprinting, and possibly staying, career.
Dawdling out of the four box, the 23-month old son of Ashom Bale and Tally Bale was facing an uphill battle, as race favourite Glen Gallon had stepped on the gas from box two, and local star Hot Irish trying to cross from the six box. However the speed of Harry Monelli from box eight, was enough for him to cut to the fence in the face of the field, checking Hot Irish and causing a ripple effect where the majority of the field was inconvenienced.
Harry Monelli still led down the back, with Grigorieva Bale showing the superior speed to quickly take over. Dyna Nalin had used the inside run to move into third, while Glen Gallon began a run from fourth place.
Grigorieva Bale looked the winner as the pack entered the straight again, but the race was about to get interesting. Dyna Nalin peeled off the rail and started making a dash, while Glen Gallon wasn't done with either. Hot Irish defied his usual racing pattern to flash home and suddenly it was hard to know where to look. There was fifty metres of intense racing, with four dogs all putting in claims, however Dyna Nalin was the strongest of the four, whipping past Grigorieva Bale to claim the prize and give Paul Stuart and the Wheeler family one of the most successful nights ever seen.
Grigorieva Bale was game in defeat; going down by a length in 30.58, while Glen Gallon and Hot Irish dead-heated for third narrowly beaten. Harry Monellis on tired into fifth place, with Saving Bundles, Renegade Chief and Hello Goodbye never a chance after the first turn scuffle.
Dyna Nalin takes his record to 15 starts for twelve wins, two placings with a current unbeaten streak of nine. The way he finishes off his races and still posts excellent times (eg 30.21 run in Perth Cup heat) suggests a staying career may also suit.
Paul Stuart was interviewed post-race, describing Dyna Nalin's win as very different to Miata's, given where they are in their careers and given that Dyna Nalin wasn't expected to even make the final. While it is unknown if Dyna Nalin will travel in the near future, one can't help but think this is not the last time this fellow will be making headlines.
Meanwhile, Glen Gallon, Hot Irish and Renegade Chief will meet again next Saturday night in The Temlee at The Meadows. With different draws and a different style of track, the fortunes of these three chasers should improve rapidly.