Silent Guardian Claims A $10,000 Tri Star Series Bonus
The Darren McDonald trainer Silent Guardian claimed a unique cash bonus last night at Geelong by winning the final leg of the rich Tri Star Series.
In last night's final of the Young Star Classic both Silent Guardian and Droopy Monelli were racing for the $10,000 cash bonus over the existing $7,000 first prizemoney as finals winner of the first two leg of the Tri Star Series.
Silent Guardian picked up the first leg of the series with an emphatic win at Bendigo winning by 5.25 lengths in a flying 23.92 best of day.
Droopy Monelli scored in the second leg of the series at Ballarat running a very fast 8.59, 25.33 beating Ned's Pedro.
No greyhound has ever been able to win two legs of the series in its three year history despite greyhounds the quality of Birthday Boy competing last year.
Heading in to last night's final Silent Guardian had finished a very unlucky second in his heat behind Blinga after missing the start and then making many lengths just to qualify for the final.
However starting from box four last night Silent Guardian made every stride a winner, and had no trouble staying in touch with Blinga who had led from box three.
With Blinga reeling of speedy sectional of 6.75 and 14.21 with Silent Guardian camped right behind him, the writing was on the wall and the $17,000 total prizemoney as good as spent.
Silent Guardian, the $2.20 favourite, swept up past the tiring Blinga and went on to win by three lengths in the quick time of 25.56, with Droopy Monelli a further 1.75 lengths back to third.
Silent Guardian is by Pure Octane ~ Black Chantilly and is owned by the Dare To Dream syndicate who raced his sire Pure Octane, the Australian and Victorian Greyhound of the Year in 2005.
Silent Guardian's dam Black Chantilly was herself a more than handy performer on the track having raced on 55 occassions for 19 wins and 16 placings.
During her career she was trained by Peter Giles and was a WA Oaks, Bendigo Cup and Warrnambool Cup finalist. Being another of the progeny from the pre-potent Floodgate – Floodfawn damline, it is no surprise to see her throw a greyhound of the calibre of Silent Guardian in her first litter.
Silent Guardian has so far been carefully placed by McDonald, only ever starting on the one turn sprinting journeys of Ballarat, Warragul, Bendigo, Shepparton and Geelong and mostly in heats where he gets a priority grading advantage over his competition. So far he started on the track 12 times for 9 wins and 2 seconds.
With last night's win and bonus Silent Guardian's total career prizemoney now climbs to $35,725.
Meanwhile, the Jamie Ennis trained Blinga, who finished second in last night's final, secured a free service to Bombastic Shiraz as recognition as the Tri Star Series most consistent greyhound.