Upsets and form reversals abounded last Saturday night in the heats of Australia's second richest staying event on the calendar, the Group 1 Sky Channel Galaxy, but a good box draw has seen Vinatge Octane a short favourite to win the final.
Won last year by super stayer and 2008 WA Greyhound Of The Year Elektra, in a fabulous last to first effort (you can re-live that sensational run here – 2008 Galaxy Final); and featuring in that final last year also is one of this year's finalist's Tayza.
Tayza (Stately Bird-Crazy Habit) led throughout to win the first heat of the Sky Channel Galaxy defeating Octanol by 1 ½ lengths in 41.78.
For the second year running the Pete Sayer trained bitch has made the final of the Galaxy, finishing unplaced behind Elektra in last years feature.
The little brindle bitch is raced by Port Bouvard resident Greg Dwyer who has enjoyed seeing his bitch represent WA in the National Distance final last year as WA‟s best stayer.
The second heat of the Galaxy was won by an all the way victory to the Victorian Darren McDonald trained Vintage Octane (Pure Octane- My Girl Georgina) who won by 5 lengths in 41.82.
The favourite in the third heat of the Galaxy Gunnadoo Magic also missed out on qualifying for trainer Robert Britton with his sisters runner Western Land (Big Daddy Cool-On This Fold) getting over the top of the leader Tawqeet Delta to win by 1 length in 41.98.
Trained by Linda Britton he has now won 4 times from 6 starts in WA with a personal best of 41.76 to his name after clocking 41.98 on Saturday.
Big Loose Buddy (Trendy Leigh-Abbadale Gold) gave Brookton trainer John Vuletich his biggest thrill as a trainer when he rattled home over the top of the tiring Victorian Sirocco Hero to win by 4 lengths in a time of 41.94.
This Saturday nights final has a winners purse of $80,000 and is the second richest staying event in Australia. The box draw and form for the 2009 Sky Channel Galaxy are below.
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.
Comment : Victorian stayer that has already won a Group 2 this year will start favorite and was impressive last week apart from the fact the time wasn't there. Is sure to improve and is the one to beat has loads of ability and his best stayer efforts are surely in front of him.
Comment : Handy former New South Wales and Victorian performer that has racing well since joining the Linda Britton kennel. Is one of the chances if he can stay in touch with the leaders. Beat some handy types home last week, place chance best.
Comment : Handy Victorian stayer that tired in the run to the line last week would need to improve on that run if he is have any say in this affair. Hard to see him winning it but he is capable of running a place.
Comment : Has raced with some minor success in Victoria and has recorded fair time here is his only win. A stayer that has shown some ability at different times. Hard to have in this and would need to do everything right to win. Will start big odds.
Comment : Smart sprinter that has only just gone over the distance at his last few starts. Hasn't won over the 715 metres and hard to make a case for him winning here. Would need to improve to be a winning chance place hope best.
Comment : SHandy South Australian that has performed well in distance events in three states. Finished second to Vintage Octane last week but was well beaten. With some luck in running not without a chance hard to see him turning the tables on the favourite. Place chance best.
Comment : Local star that represented WA in the National Distance Championship last year. Well performed here at Cannington with 13 wins and best winning time of 41.53, and she made the final of this race last year. Certainly has claims and is a genuine winning chance, is the
Comment : Local that has won three times here and came home strong last week to run down Sirocco Hero. Will need to do everything right to win but a big thrill for connections to make a Group 1 final. Will start good odds place chance best.
Comment : Star Victorian stayer who up until last week was in career best form made this final last year when runner up always a chance if she can gain a start.