Young Gunners Impress In Ipswich Heats

A beautiful winter's day was just the first of many highlights on Tuesday afternoon as four heats of the RQ Young Guns were run and won at over the 520m. Restricted to greyhounds whelped on or after the 13th of February 2011, the top two placegetters from each heat would automatically qualify for next week's final.

Heat One
The first heat on a perfect afternoon saw just the five chasers face the bunny with the short priced favourite White Hornet all the rage from box 6. The trained son of – Skinny Magic has been very impressive in his short career with 10 starts resulting in 7 wins and 2 seconds. Sent out at $1.40 on the local tote, he didn't shirk the task winning impressively in 30.91 over Atta Boy Ted with Maywyn's Force in third. With the first two placegetters progressing to the final, he looks the type of dog capable of black type success. Burman has been having a wonderful run with his team of chasers, winning races regularly throughout South-East Queensland and this was the fourth win in a row for the November 2011 whelp.

Heat Two
The owned and trained Allez Brigette would start favourite in the second heat after her impressive return to racing since her March lay-off. A first-up 30.00s even at Albion Park indicated that she was back as good as ever. The daughter of – River Seine has already in Group 2 success at Ipswich in her short career when winning the Maiden in February 2013 (originally second in final results were later amended after winner Far West Leader was disqualified). Allez Brigette would start even money but would have to settle for second after Darren Russell's wonderful winning run continued when Mysterious Thing was too good stopping the clock in a fast 30.50. Sundance Tycoon ran well for third.

Russell's kennel star Innisplain Jet is the recent Queensland Sprint qualifier and will head to The Meadows to represent Queensland in the Group 1 Sprint Final on August 24. Mysterious Thing (Where's Pedro – Saturn Assassin) has previously won in fast time at Ipswich and Albion Park and her career record now stands at 23 starts for 6 wins and 6 placing's. She is the most experienced chaser to qualify in the final, and with the current run Russell is having looks a strong chance to continue his wonderful winning run.

Heat Three
The third heat was an open betting affair with just the 7 starters drawn to chase the bunny in the hope of qualifying for the final. Box rise would see the pink dog, Frosty Jay Jay start a narrow favourite for the popular Attard's. The 37 kilogram white chaser would jump with the field but that was the end of his luck as he was run off the track by a wayward Pay Bill (Fear Zafonic – Joy Esme) who appeared uninterested in chasing the lure. At the first turn, Pay Bill was pushing so wide that he and the favourite almost hit the outside fence.

While this was happening, Maywyn's Popper was sneaking away after jumping cleaning from box 1. The July 2011 son of Premier Fantasy – Holly Hotpants was too good in the run home leading all the way to narrowly hang on over Not Held with a neck to Sudoku Magic in third. The white and black chaser has now won 5 of 9 career starts with a further one placing. Not Held was an impressive second after avoiding the early carnage and both look each way chances in the final.

Heat Four
The fourth and final heat appeared a two dog affair with punters split between the unbeaten Hannah Marrie (box 7) and the recent super quick winner Yogi Blue (box 3). Yogi Blue's last run was a remarkable near record 30.28 which is one of the quickest times ever run over the Ipswich 520m. As the bunny passed the boxes, the favourite Hannah Marrie exploded leading clearly at the first mark in a super quick 5.35s, with Yogi Blue moving to a clear second and the field behind. With the front runner on the bunny, the only challenger looked Yogi Blue and he was ready to pounce at the home turn. Finding plenty in the home straight, Hannah Marrie gained a leg and she exploded away for another impressive victory for Loganlea trainer Roan Enright. The daughter of Premier Fantasy – Tayza has now raced five times for five impressive wins and with her brilliant box speed she looks a greyhound with bright prospects.

The run of Yogi Blue for second was impressive and he didn't shirk the task as he chased the winner throughout. Running home very strongly for third was Howard Rhino and he looks a greyhound to follow with a possible distance campaign looking likely.

The finalists in box order:

2013 Ipswich Young Guns Final

Box 1 – Atta Boy Ted
Box 2 – White Hornet
Box 3 – Mysterious Thing
Box 4 – Allez Brigette
Box 5 – Maywyn's Popper
Box 6 – Hannah Marrie
Box 7 – Yogi Blue
Box 8 – Not Held
Reserves:
Box 9 – Howard Rhino
Box 10 – Sundance Tycoon

With the final set for next Tuesday afternoon it looks a quality field of young chasers with many capable of going on to bigger and better things. The is well supported event, with the good performers often going on to bigger and better things. With the upcoming Ipswich Derby and Futurity later this month, it's a good learning curve for these young chasers prior to these upcoming rich events.

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