It promised a lot and it certainly delivered, the Million Dollar Chase (520m) final at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, when the Jodie Lord trained, She’s A Pearl, continued her winning way with another stunning performance in blistering time. Despite being drawn awkwardly in the four alley, She’s A Pearl stepped straight to the front, recording a blistering 5.32 to the winning post the first time, allowing her to set up a winning break by the time she had entered the back straight, then holding that advantage to the finishing post to record a comfortable 6 lengths victory in a very fast 29.32. The daughter of Aston Dee Bee has now strung together twelve consecutive wins, all in top company, and upon receiving the $1,000,000 for her victory on Saturday, her career stake money earnings jumped to $1,353,010, less than $13,000 from over taking the great Fanta Bale as the highest stake earner in Australian greyhound racing history. Connections do plan to give She’s A Pearl a break from racing for a few weeks, but with so many big races on the calendar in the months ahead, it is just a matter of time before she becomes the highest stake money earner of all time.
The support program also produced some thrilling racing, including the win by Victorian trained stayer, Hank The Hustler, who gave the tearaway leader Super Estrella, a start and a beating to take out the Gold Cup (720m), whilst the narrow win by Angry Blizzard in the Masters Meteor (520m) also had punters on the edge of their seats. One greyhound we believe is heading places in the future is the winner of the Ladies Bracelet (520m) final, French Martini. Trained by dual Million Dollar Chase winning trainer, Peter Lagogiane, she was outstanding in leading throughout to record a comfortable 5 lengths victory over a high quality field. Another daughter of the sire Aston Dee Bee, she has all the credentials to figure very prominently in the features races across Australia in the coming months and we expect her to be at the peak of her game come October when another Million Dollar Chase will be contested. Tonight, at Sandown Park, we have the running of five heats of the Group 1 Sandown Cup (715m) in which the best stayers in Australia will do battle. Each heat is stacked with depth and trying to determine the winner is not easy, but we do believe we have found a couple of winners for our followers.
Sandown Park Race 4 No 8 Jarick Bale $3.40 at PlayUp – Would have preferred him to be drawn closer to the rail but he should have enough speed to cross and be close to the lead early. If he then finds the rails, he will open a big gap on his opponents. Improving each time he steps up in distance. Selections: 8-4-2-1.
Sandown Park Race 5 No 1 Mepunga Ruby $1.30 at PlayUp – She is one of the best stayers in the land, drawn to lead and win. Look for the youngster Boom Lateral to run a big race chasing. Selections: 1-6-4-3.
Sandown Park Race 6 No 4 Untapped $8.00 at PlayUp – Front running stayer who missed the start at her latest run. Look for here to lead here tonight and open a huge break mid race. She is getting stronger each run so she can hold them at bay. Selections: 4-5-1-6.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 1 Super Estrella $2.30 at PlayUp – Star NSW stayer who wins her races from the front. Hard to see her not leading in this. Ready to win a big race and we think she can not only win this heat, but also the final next week. Best bet of the night and your banker for your multi bets. Selections: 1-2-5-3.
Sandown Park Race 8 No 6 Zipping Kansas $1.90 at PlayUp – Another NSW trained greyhound who has the ability to smash the clock when he gets his own way in races. Only has the one start at Sandown for a huge win in flying time. His main danger on paper is Collinda Patty, but she is drawn wide, and she loves the inside. We believe Zipping Kansas can find the lead before the post the first time, allowing him to establish a winning break down the back. Yes. Selections: 5-1-6-8.
