Darren McDonald Has A Big Hand In Ballarat’s Inaugural Summer Classic
Some of the states best young greyhounds will be vying for the honors in the Topcat Ballarat Summer Classic this Wednesday night.
The inaugural Classic to be run over 450 metres is restricted to greyhounds whelped on or before 1st January 2007.
There will be four heats of the Classic on tonight's twelve race program.
Cranbourne trainer Darren McDonald will rug up two of the favorites in the Classic, Gardam Prince and Drillbit Taylor.
One of McDonald's team of young stars, the brilliant Gardam Prince will be looking to make it five straight wins from as many starts in heat one of the Classic.
“He's a brilliant box dog who has got unlimited potential.” McDonald said.
Gardam Prince, the impeccably bred son of Black Enforcer out of the dam She's Travelling, is exceptionally well drawn in Box 3.
McDonald said that Gardam Prince will be having his first race start since December after undergoing a tonsil operation.
In his only four race starts Gardam Prince has not been passed by a runner, and has recorded sizeable wins over the opposition.
“He's drawn a good box as he loves the rails, and should run well.”
McDonald's other runner Drillbit Taylor will contest the fourth heat of the Classic.
Unlike Gradam Prince, Drillbit Taylor is not as good when it comes to exiting the boxes.
“He tends to be slow out of the boxes, but he is a very fast dog which has helped him overcome his box manners.”
“The pink box draw (box 8) should help him keep out of trouble in the race and he will be coming home hard at the end of the race.”
Drillbit Taylor has showed that he has plenty of ability having won seven of his eleven race starts.
The winners and second placed greyhounds from the four heats will go through to the final to be held next Wednesday night.
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Selections for the four heats:
- Heat 1 – Gardam Prince, Belena Haze, Egyptian Boy
- Heat 2 – Carrazzo, Kiowa Tiger, Wishing Tree
- Heat 3 – Hillbilly Jack, Rellim Rosie, Kiowa Bee
- Heat 4 – Drillbit Taylor, Molly Grace, Flip Ya Hundred