Welcome along to the weekly wrap up. What a busy week its been, Qualies on Saturday and racing Monday and Wednesday night. We’ll have a little look at the qualies and pick out the runs to follow for the final next Wednesday night. We’ll also catch up with Geoff Collins about his top greyhound Cutting Edge heading into the Silver Chief Semi final Saturday night.
QUALIES
We had 18 heats on Saturday, 13 at the 390mtr’s and 5 at the 450mtr start. She was a warm old day with the temp reaching 33 degrees as the last qualie trial was run but we got through them with no issues.
Some of the best performed over the 390mtrs were:
Iconic Rock (Heat12) for Deb Carr was clearly the best performed on the day, flying the lids going 8.36 early and 22.15. The son of Lochinvar Marlow has already had 2 race starts running 2nd at his first start at Warrnambool over the 450mtrs & 5th at his 2nd start but it looks as if he only has to turn up next Wednesday and he wins.
Senni William (Heat 2) for Bill Innes also lead his heat going 8.47 and getting beat a whisker in 22.53. Senni William has also had a race start running 4th on debut at Ballarat running 23.00 and lead, so it looks as if he has improved and can figure in the finish.
Cosmic Jam (Heat 9) didn’t lead her heat but won in 22.47. The Goodwin trained Cosmic Jam has had 5 starts but tends to miss the start and get caught up in the field, with a clean get away i can see her figuring in the finish.
Secret Choice litter mate to the impressive Iconic Rock also ran a decent time, recording 22.35 without leading. This greyhound has also had 1 race start when coming out last and running 4th at Warrnambool and looks to have benefited.
The 450mtr Heats:
There were only 5 heats over the 450mrts and there was only 1 that looks likely to follow heading into the final
Ashtastic the superbly bred daughter of Collide X Evanescent although only going a moderate 26.00 i think she has the most upside and look to be the one to beat.
MONDAY
Mondays card was our regular Tier 3 but carried the 275+ point ranking.
There were some creditable performances on the day and it looks as if some of the dogs just needed a little confidence boosting.
Wilma’s Thunder had been knocking on the door since returning from a 8 months lay off and saluted in fine style from the red box, missing the start before pushing up and leading the whole way going 6.61,11.27 down the back and 25.56 in a very nice win.
Wilma’s Thunder break through after long lay off
Harvest Gold made light work of box 3 when sent round as favourite in Race 10, pinging straight to the front going 8.36 and never headed running a slick 22.20. If he takes that sort of form to a grade 5 he’s sure to be competitive.
WEDNESDAY
Christmas eve, eve was a ripper night, the sun was out and the kids were running round in anticipation for Santa arrival and there was some great racing lined up. There was 3 Heats of the Vic Bred 1-14 starts 1-4 wins and they produced some smart runs.
The first heat, locally trained Parsnip was sent out short priced favourite but it all didnt go to plan for the Gigliotti trained son of Cosmic Rumble. He bombed the kick and was mid pack with it all to do heading into the turn before a scrimmage up front saw the red sea part and parsnip fly through to get a rails hugging run and run away with it in 25.57. The very unlucky Dream Edition got going again after all momentum was lost to run second and look 1 to follow for next weeks final.
Heat 2 was taken out by an all the way winner in Tap Rack Tap, the son on Tap an Rack bounded straight to the front and never looked like he was going to loose clocking the best time of 25.18
Heat 3 was a boil over with the Gary Ennis trained Lorimer Lad sent out as odds on fav but getting rolled on the line by the Maye trained Macrory in 25.35, the son of Nitro Burst seems to be starting to put it all together now with 2 wins from his last 4 and running 2nd in the other 2.
Another run worth wrapping your eyes around was that of Kid Audacious. The Fearnley trained greyhound absolutely exploded out of the boxes running a red hot 8.20 first split and just kept on going easily accounting multiple Group winning dog Ronray Spirit in 21.88 (if ya dont mind)
Kid Audacious setting the track alight
CUTTING EDGE’S SILVER CHIEF BID
Ballarats leading greyhound is set to take his place in the Silver Chief semi finals on Saturday night. Cutting Edge, the son of Barcia Bale is often the forgotten about dog when it comes to the big races but with a record of 11 starts for 9 wins and 1 second and a PB of 5.04-17.68 down the back and 29.74 at The Meadows he’s a force to be reckon with. The Geoff Collins Bred/owned and trained greyhound won his heat last Saturday night in fine style lobbing 3rd the fence from box 1 before getting to second down the back and making a move rounding the home turn and swooping late to win a very nice 29.87 cementing his spot in the semi’s. Cutting Edge has drawn the cherry again Saturday night and speaking to Geoff through the week he said “he’s pulled up well and seems to be 100% sound, he’s had his niggles but never anything major”. I asked if he was happy with the red box Saturday night “yes, but he would want to beat the 2 out as it looks to crash to the rails”. It looks a mighty competitive race, as you would expect, with speed from box 8 & 5 and He’s So Good (5) with a victory over Cutting Edge the big fella will have to be on his A game and if there is 1 person that and get him on it its Geoff. The very best of luck to Geoff and Cutting edge from all the team at The Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club.
Cutting Edge winning his heat last Saturday night
LOCAL WINNERS
She was a lean old week this week with 7 winners. The honours were shared this week with all winners being individuals.
Uptown funk made it 3 on end winning at Bendigo in 24.11
Going cosmic also won at Bendigo for Chris Stanton in 24.05
Cutting Edge won his heat at The Meadows for Geoff Collins in 29.87
Cacoethes returned to winning was at Ballarat for Stefano Cassar in 25.72
Gotham’s Hero also won at Ballarat For Rohan Gladman in 22.37
Claretown Tex, The old boy saluted at big odd at Bendigo in 28.90
and Parsnip for Joe Gigliotti won at Ballarat in 25.56
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the team here at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing club.
