Speedy Malaika Well Named Casino Greyhounds Winner
A fast beginning gave the aptly named Speedy Malaika the fastest time of the Casino Rural Traders sprint heats last Friday.
The Frank Hancock trained sprinter was able virtually lead all of the way and record a fast 23.09.
She didn't get it all her own way though, as near the finishing line Mudgee Man snuck up along the fence to make the judges decision an interesting one. The official margin was a nose, and depending on the box draw, both runners will have support for this week's rich final.
The next fastest qualifier was Jan Finneran's Hangover Harry who himself was a last stride winner when he got in by a half length in 23.26. There wasn't much between the next three heat winners with the in form Jaydo's Neglect running 23.35; Kingsbrae Dust clocking 23.36, and Sugar Mouth recording 23.38. All of those three greyhounds were in the lead in their respective events.
A much improved Kooringa Squirt made the step up to top grade with great aplomb by running a handy 23.10 in disposing of a handy set of sprinters. She is a faultless beginner, and again she was straight to the lead to run them a “merry dance.” She won by three lengths for owner / trainer Mitch Northfield, and her record now stands at seven wins from only nineteen starts.
Shane Robinson always has a team of greyhounds entered at Casino and he was rewarded with a winning double. Jolly Jonna showed she has a bright future when she led throughout in the Mc Donald's Pharmacy maiden, winning by three lengths in 27.59. Later, Aero Ace snuck across from box four to take up the running at the first turn before scoring by 7 1/2 lengths in 27.27. It was clearly the best time over the 484 metres.
Sudoku Princess, originally drawn as a reserve, got a run from box six and quickly sped to the front to win the Charcoal Inn stake for Kieth Anderson in 27.56, whilst Nyngan won broke his maiden in fine style for Elizabeth Salmoni when he ran 23.25 in a 1 3/4 length victory.
It's always good to see two staying races on the card, and the novice distance stake went to Trevor Thompson's Ted Rose Hi in 36.25. In a day of close finishes he won by a 1/2 length. The other event was won by Mansell who completed a double for Matthew Reid. She took over in the back section and romped in by 6 3/4 lengths in 35.42.
Casino will race again this Friday with the Casino Rural Traders Sprint Final and heats of the Buckingham Chuck Blue Paws maiden over 484 metres, highlighting the card.