No Miata, No Cups But Cannington Always Entertains
There may have been no Miata on the programme, but that doesn't stop Greyhounds W.A Cannington from putting on an excellent show in its' usual Saturday night timeslot. Despite the Perth Cup and Galaxy being run and won for another year, there remained plenty of entertainment on the racing front, with a couple of veterans returning to form, and a feature final that went down to the wire.
Veteran sprinter, Rock Pool was lining up for start number 55 when it was sent around in the Open class event over 530m. While Perth Cup Consolation winner Hot Irish was contesting the race as a firm $1.50 favourite, it was the former Group-winning, Ben Abercrombie-trained dog who captured the prize thanks to a determined rails run.
The race was anyone's as the field rushed off the back straight. But when early leader Hayley's My Mum ran wide on the final corner, it opened the door for Rock Pool to sneak up and take the win. It was a good result of patience, as Rock Pool had begun fairly and was camped behind the leaders' heels for the majority of the event, waiting for the opening to come.
Rock Pool stopped the clock as 30.58, which was the best for the evening, and took its' career tally to nearly $120,000 courtesy of growing total of 20 wins.
Hot Irish crept up for second placing and will no doubt win more races with a more suitable draw, as the breaks just didn't happen from the seven alley on this occasion.
Another top line chaser that returned to form was Linda Britton's strong sprinter, Rousay. In a career that probably has not exploded in the way anticipated after the dog won its first seven starts, Rousay has started to find some consistency in the more mature days. This week he lined up in an open class middle distance race over 642m and was considered one of many chances.
The race itself reflected the market, as four dogs turned for home with a winning chance. But it was Rousay who had the momentum up and held off a barnstorming finish by John Iwanyk's, McQueen in a thrilling event. The winning time was 37.60, which was a great effort, as Rousay was last with a lap to go, proving the 642m is ideal for the black chaser.
The Solo Summer Chase final was also conducted over the middle journey of 642m, and Roxy Mac for Kylie Mclennan held off a couple of rivals to claim the $10,000 winners cheque.
Beginning quickly and finding the front immediately, the small-framed bitch started to feel the pinch over the concluding stages. With Mortal Combat and Freeway Fame finishing full of running, it set up a three-way grandstand finish. But the Where's Pedro-Della Bale bitch had enough in reserve to win the photo and claim the feature event at start 26.
Another greyhound that should be making another attempt at the 642m very shortly is former Tasmanian, Bashy's Boy. Now in the care of Linda Smithson, the son of Surf Lorian came across the country with big wraps, after some dashing wins on the Apple Isle late last year. It may have taken some time for the dog to find its' feet in the West, but if Saturday's victory over the 530m is anything to go by, Bashy's Boy still has many wins left in the tank.
Beginning from box one and starting the race as favourite, it wasn't long before the lead was found. Running away from his opposition by four lengths, the win was the second fastest of the night behind Rock Pool, with 30.68 showing on the semaphore board for Bashy's Boy.