Bullock Hoping For Initial Launceston Cup Success
Exeter trainer Anthony Bullock is yet to experience Launceston Cup success, but has qualified two runners for Monday night's $57,000 feature and has an undeniable chance of being seen on the podium.
Following last night's semi – finals, both Hellyeah Bolt ( Dyna Lachlan – Flash Diamond) and Devonport Cup winner Are Ate (Lochinvar Marlow – Long Long Mama) have made it through for the Bullock kennel, with the former a likely favourite, in what will be a keenly contested affair.
Hellyeah Bolt, which claimed the speedy Varcoe (El Galo – Magic Dust) within the shadows of the post last night, recorded a winning time of 29.81 and the remaining three semis were won by Mighty Lomar (Where's Pedro – Worldclass Lomar) in the time of 29.76, Nooee's Lad (Knocka Norris – Break Of Dawn) in 29.98 and Black Rip (Goodesy – Richmond Fox) in 30.00.
Second place getters also qualified for a tilt at Monday night's rich finale, which is sponsored this year by the local business Curtains and Blinds.
“I would naturally love to win my first Launceston Cup, but it is a particularly tough assignment,” Bullock explained on Tuesday.
“The field includes several chasers with explosive early speed and I am not even certain that the normally brilliant Are Ate can lead, despite him having drawn favourably in the red box. I'm hoping that Hellyeah Bolt can avoid early interference and be positioned within striking distance of the leaders, because he normally finishes his races off nicely.”
Raced by the Hellyeah Syndicate, headed by Rick Donaldson, Hellyeah Bolt has now won 16 of his 25 lifetime outings and is shaping up as one of Tasmania's better greyhounds.
Meanwhile, in direct contrast to Anthony Bullock, Penguin trainer Butch Deverell, who will be represented by Nooee's Lad on Monday night, boasts a wonderful Launceston Cup record, having won the race twice as a trainer and once as an owner.
“I was successful as an owner with the top bitch Two Codes and have since prepared both Big Moose and Akka Boy to win the race,” he explained.
“I have had problems with Nooee's Lad, but believe that they have finally been sorted out and despite the fact that he has drawn box five, he has some chance of winning.”
Normally a brilliant beginner, the chaser is raced by Burnie businessman Craig French and is the winner of 15 of his 51 outings.
Mangalore trainer Mick Stringer's luck changed for the better with the semi-final victory of the former Victorian chaser Mighty Lomar, which was impressive in winning the fastest of the four contested.
In recent weeks Stringer had the misfortune to lose the top chasers Yappin Jack (Aston Galilee – Patsy Anne) and Archie Gumballs (Where's Pedro – Come On Roxy), which were both being prepared for a Launceston Cup campaign.
$57,000 GROUP 2 CURTAINS AND BLINDS LAUNCESTON CUP FINAL (515 METRES)
1. Are Ate Anthony Bullock
2. Black Rip Shane Whitney
3. Varcoe Debbie Cannan
4. Bain's Lane Brendan Pursell
5. Nooee's Lad Butch Deverell
6. Faolan Peter Phillips
7. Hellyeah Bolt Anthony Bullock
8. Mighty Lomar Mick Stringer
9. Buckle Up Wes Ted Medhurst