$20k Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series Preview
The Lismore track will play host to some of the most precocious maiden greyhounds in the land this Tuesday night. Eight heats of the $20,000 Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series will take place over the 420 metre trip, with each heat winner progressing to the final a week later.
All greyhounds engaged had a performance trial at the venue last week and there are plenty of interesting runners in the event.
Race 1 (6:40pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 1
The opening heat looks a very open affair with three or four dogs running times within a length of each other in their performance trials.
Two greyhounds have had experience in races with Zambesi Luck (Box 4) having managed only one placing from seven outings, while Lyndan Diamond (Box 7) has finished in the first three on eight occasions from just eleven starts.
Of the first starters, Cosmic Melody (Box 3) for trainer Lyndall Massey has the fastest performance trial, running 24.45 last week. The Bradley Northfield trained Kidatee Josh (Box 2) has had two performance trials and ran a solid 24.46 last week.
Race 2 (7:05pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 2
In Heat Two, Tricky Dee (Box 8) has raced on four occasions for four placings at The Gardens and Coonamble. The well bred daughter of Malfoy and Navigator Miss trialled at Lismore last week but only produced a slow 25.17 in her look at the track. She will definitely be one to watch. Jessie Small (Box 4) is the only other starter with race experience and is yet to run a place in three outings. However she did trial a slick 24.38 here last week which is the fastest of this field.
The quickest qualifier of the first starters in the field is Slash Is King (Box 6). The Adam Hines trained son of Gardam Prince and Janado Queen ran 24.46 in last week's performance trials and should be competitive based on that.
Race 3 (7:23pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 3
The third heat features a mix of four dogs that have race experience and four first starters. It also showcases chances for three of Queenslands most prolific trainers, who all have dogs that trialled quick at the venue.
Velocity Zoe (Box 3) has raced on six occasions for trainer Tony Brett and is yet to really flatter with just two placings to date. The daughter of Mogambo and Velocity Thunder did trial 24.47 last week which indicates she could be competitive in this. Beau Allegro (Box 7) also has race experience finishing well back at two starts. The son of Collision and Allegro Lee trialled in a competitive 24.44 last week after a month off racing and he may warrant consideration given that effort.
Glenda Dart looks to have a promising conveyance in this heat too with Fusaichi Khan (Box 4) qualifying in a zippy 24.43 despite running second. Fusaichi Khan is a regally bred son of Where's Pedro and Daydream. Drawn next door is Grin And Win (Box 5), who also produced 24.43 in his performance trial for Tony Zammit. Grin And Win is a son of Collision and Real Macoy. The box draw has done this pair of first starters no favours but it will be interesting to see what they can do given a clear run.
Race 4 (7:41pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 4
The fourth heat features one of the quicker qualifiers from last week's performance trials. Bon Zephyr (Box 2) blistered around the circuit last week to win by thirteen and three quarter lengths in 24.23. The big positive about that trial was the way that the son of Surf Lorian and Abundia Boo flew the lids. He's definitely the dog to watch here.
Truly Unique (Box 7) is the second fastest qualifier of the heat, defeating Fusaichi Khan in one of the more competitive performance trials last week in a time of 24.42. Costa Khan (Box 3) only finished third last week, but is in the Glenda Dart kennel and might be worth keeping an eye on.
Race 7 (8:42pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 5
Only two dogs with any race experience will line up in the fifth heat. Glorified Gee (Box 2) has managed three placings from five outings for trainer Grant Fennelly and flew here in last weeks trials, producing a 24.28 effort. Flash Reality (Box 7) has finished third in both of her race appearances to date and also scorched the track here last week, running 24.23.
The pick of the first starters based on performance trials is Tweed Ace (Box 6). The Mark Johnston trained son of Collision and Rose Chalice showed plenty of toe to win her trial in 24.30. Box six may test the first starter but he obviously has his share of ability.
Race 8 (9:05pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 6
Heat six looks a very even affair on paper. Three starters have had race starts, with the pick of them being the Mal Cuneo trained Silver Sticka (Box 2). The son of Surf Lorian and North Coast has been placed in four of his seven race starts and trialled well in 24.43 last week.
The fastest of the first starters from the performance trials was My Awesome Opal (Box 6). Despite being beaten by three and a half lengths in his heat, My Awesome Opal (Fear Zafonic x Awesome Knocka) stuck on well in the fastest trial of the day (24.13). That should make him competitive in this race.
Race 9 (9:23pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 7
Heat Seven is the heat that will generate most interest. Typically, Murphy 's Law prevailed in the random box draw, and as a result, this heat features the fastest three dogs from last week's performance trials, with only one set to take their place in the final.
All eyes will be on the Darren McDonald trained There's A Earn (Box 4). The superbly bred son of Where's Pedro and Nova Surf sizzled around the Lismore loam last week in 24.14. If he can reproduce that time he will take a power of beating.
Washington Trick (Box 6) also flew around the northern rivers track last week in a flying 24.16. The Janette Finneran trained conveyance is also interestingly bred. Washington Trick is a son of Dragon Fire, a Dog who raced and stands at stud in the U.S.A by Brett Lee and Hoops Slamdunk. His damline also has a heavy influence from the U.S.A with his mother (Itza Girl Trick) being by EA's Itzaboy.
The third fastest trial from last week was 24.20 produced by the Noel Vohland trained Zed Force (Box 2). Zed Force is a daughter of 2008 Eric Thompson Maiden winner Dual Enforcer out of Howie's Gemma. She is drawn to be in this up to her ears.
Race 10 (9:42pm) – Northern Rivers Vet K9 Reproductions Maiden Series – Heat 8
The final heat will showcase another speedy first starter who is drawn out wide. The Lee Wylie trained Birkdale Beauty (Box 7) was solid here last week clocking 24.58. But the daughter of El Grand Senor and Tricky Uno also PT'd here in 24.23 a fortnight earlier so must come under notice based on that.
Earned Talking (Box 1) finished a close second in a speedy trial last week clocking 24.37. The daughter of High Earner and Top Talker is drawn to be in this for a long way. She led last week before tiring a little towards the end and may well benefit from that hit out. The Tom Tzouvelis trained Zambesi Rock (Box 4) looks the best of the rest. He is yet to really flatter on the clock but has had a couple of looks at this track and is in good hands.
While heat seven definitely looks the race worthy of top billing, there is no doubt there will be some terrific racing in this series. Given the amount of inexperienced conveyances in these races there is sure to be a few surprises. Next week's $20,000 to the winner final should be an absolute gem.