Courtesy of thedogs.com.au

09/01/11


Queensland champion Dashing Corsair stole the show at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, running a slashing 42.07s to take out the second heat of the Group One Hotham Body Repairs Association Cup (720m).

Heading into Saturday night’s qualifier with two Wentworth Park victories, the Dwyer Lennon-trained Queensland Greyhound Of The Year aspirant simply outpointed his rivals in a 6½ length demolition.
The Anthony Azzopardi-trained Seek And Destroy was most courageous at his 720m debut running a gallant second, with outsider Dash Of Shiraz winding up in third.

From Saturday night’s triumph Dashing Corsair looks to have a vice-like-grip on the final with a firm hand on next Saturday night’s $50,000 winner’s cheque.

In the other run-off, Keith Pedrana’s Slick Lee saluted by the narrowest of margins, winning by a nose over Victorian veteran Beware who continued his terrific Wentworth Park form.

Slick Lee’s victory was just reward for some extremely consistent form in recent months, with the win setting up a rematch with Dashing Corsair, following his unlucky third to the Queenslander in last month’s Newcastle Cup at Betchoice Gardens.

With only two heats of the Group One feature, Hanify’s Belle, Cristalle and Fancy Jewel also made their way through to next Saturday night’s final.

The box draw is: 1 Dashing Corsair, 2 Dash Of Shiraz, 3 Fancy Jewel, 4 Cristalle, 5 Hanify’s Belle, 6 Slick Lee, 7 Seek And Destroy, 8 Beware.

Away from the heats it was an exciting night’s racing, with Jason Mackay’s Glen Abbey Man stealing time honours with a 29.68s trouncing of his rivals in the AAA Radiators Specialists Stake.

The son of Bit Chili made it win number nine with Saturday night’s effort, with his budding career moving forward in leaps and bounds.

Owen Langley’s pairing Shady’s Lesson and Redfern Fever chased the winner throughout, finishing second and third respectively.

Training honours for the night went to Kembla Grange trainer Ruth King who led in a winning double with Jack’s Pocket in the opener and Double Decoy in race six.

Jack’s Pocket was a most comprehensive victor, finding the lead on the first turn to win in a slashing 30.09s.

Double Decoy saluted later in the program in 30.27s and was just as impressive, negotiating a run on the first turn to defeat King Emmanuel by four lengths.

In the ninth event, Monster Jack opened up his Wentworth Park account for trainer Lorraine Roy, registering 30.33s in a strong all round display.

The son of Collide has untapped ability and with that win now under his belt expect him to go on from here over the ensuing months.

All roads lead to Wentworth Park next Saturday night for the final of the Group One Hotham Body Repairs Association Cup.