Western Land Land’s Linda Britton’s Fifth Galaxy
Linda Britton won her fifth Sky Channel Galaxy final when Western Land ($8.20) (Big Daddy Cool-On This Fold) ran on from third to defeat South Australian chaser Risk It ($17.70) and race favourite the Victorian Vintage Octane ($1.60 fav) in Australia's second richest staying race.
Britton won the Galaxy in 1998 with Paradise Street, 1999 Harvard Bale, 2002 Jennev and 2004 with Winter, however Saturday nights win was one of her proudest moments as a greyhound trainer.
Western Land joined Britton's kennel in mid January to be set for the Group 1 Sky Channel Galaxy and since arriving he has recorded five wins from seven starts at the Cannington track.
Saturday nights win almost doubled his earnings for his owners with the total amassing $166,000 after the brilliant 1 ¼ length victory in 41.82.
Victorian chaser Sirocco Hero led from box three with Vintage Octane settling in second spot and Western Land close up behind the two leaders before making his run coming to the home corner where he railed through brilliantly to score from the fast finishing Risk It for Troy Murray with the SA dog having now finished second at four of his five WA runs.
Watch the 2009 Group 1 Sky Channel Galaxy replay.
After the placed runners the field finished in the following order: Sirocco Hero ($23.70), Tawqeet Delta ($21.10), Octanol ($12.00), Big Loose Buddy ($12.20) and Tayza ($6.60).
Western Land has won 24 of his 64 starts and has been placed on 22 occasions and with the $80,000 first prize for the Galaxy it took his current stake earnings to $166,485.
The Galaxy first became a group race in 2002 as the major distance support race to the Perth Cup Carnival prior to then it was conducted as a minor feature and was first run in 1982.
- The Galaxy Honour Roll
- 1982 Afro Freeway
- 1983 Supreme Carmen
- 1984 Aulfee
- 1985 Lady Temlock
- 1986 Abilene
- 1987 Lassie's Girl
- 1988 Red Rambo
- 1989 Ghetto's Glider
- 1990 Busy City
- 1991 Galahad County
- 1992 Petite Emma
- 1993 Cousin Johnny
- 1994 Floral Kwondo
- 1995 Wits End
- 1996 Rocket Racer
- 1997 Gemarly Park
- 1998 Paradise Street
- 1999 Harvard Bale
- 2000 Alencia Bale
- 2001 “Not held”
- 2002 Jennev
- 2003 Why Complain
- 2004 Winter
- 2005 Best Quoted
- 2006 Ronray Dancer
- 2007 Flashing Floods
- 2008 Elektra
- 2009 Western Land
Photo courtesy Joe Mulder Photography