Front Runners Lead The Way In Casino Distance Trophy Heats
Bold front running displays highlighted the two heats of the Beaver Fever Distance Trophy at Casino on Friday.
The fastest of the heat winners was Bundanoon, who although a little tardy to begin, soon took up the running. At the winning post the first time was well clear, and she treated her rivals with disdain as she raced away to win by 8 1/2 lengths in a very handy 35.29.
It was the first distance win for the Jeffrey Smith trained galloper, and she looked very strong.
The Brad Northfield trained Bralyn Sal took out the other heat in similar fashion running 35.85. This time was only fractionally slower that her personal best as she won by 6 1/2 lengths. The pace should be a cracker in this week's final, with all of the early speed.
Alan Lang's dogs are going great guns at present, and he was rewarded with a winning double. After a good third at the previous meeting, Who Says took over going into the back and saluted by 3 3/4 lenghts in 23.38. Not to be out done, litter sister Snitcher raced away with the Shane Newstead stake, winning by 6 lengths in 27.62.
Neil Falls' Maxies Chariot is racing in great heart, and he made it two in a row when he took out the Casino RSM Club Free For All. A small but select field faced the starter, and as course commentator Paul Dolan said, you could have thrown a hankerchief over the entire field as they went as “one.” Maxie finally gained the upper hand at the top bend and slipped away to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 23.03.
Webby Dude finally broke the drought for Greg Hancock when she led all of the way in the Charcoal Inn maiden clocking 23.56. Greg has been having a shocking run with injuries to his dogs, and the wheel may have finally turned.
Go Hard certainly went hard when he lead all of the way running 23.43 for Rob Andrews, while Halie Rose Hi clocked the best of the day over the 484 metres when she ran 27.34 for Trevor Thompson.
In other races, former Casino Cup winner Hot Syrup stamped his mark on the meeting when his son Hot Frog came out running to win the Mc Donal'ds Pharmacy maiden in 27.88; Late Debate was also never headed running 27.51, and Flying Fatty scored by 7 1/2 lengths in 23.22 for Steve Sherwell.
Finally, a special mention to the old marvel Kidatee Alf who won his nineteenth race. After a good second last week, he flew the lids and led all of the way clocking 23.25. He is nearly four years of age but is still racing with great zest. As he's had over 100 starts, most trainers would love to have one like him in the kennels. Keep going Alf.
Casino will again hold a twelve race card this Friday afternoon.