Results of Group racing often provides surprise results, and Thursday at Angle Park this was certainly the case when both the South Australian Oaks and Derby provided double figure priced winners, leaving punters on their knees following the events. Amazingly, both winners exited from box 4, considered the horror draw in finals. The Lauren Harris trained, Don’t Tell Lies, saluted in the Oaks starting at $19, leading throughout to win by just over a length in 30.56. A daughter of Fernando Bale, Don’t Tell Lies brought up win number 4 from just 11 race starts with her victory. A future over the staying trips is on the radar for this girl, who continues to get stronger with every run.
Cameron Butcher has prepared so many wonderful dogs over the years winning all of SA major races at some point in time as a trainer. On this occasion it was as an owner that Butcher was in the limelight. After some personal health issues earlier in the year, Butcher passed the son of Worm Burner, Mallee Magic, to Tony Rasmussen to train for him, knowing full well how much ability the greyhound had. And display that ability he did on Thursday, when Mallee Magic finished over the top of the runaway leader and favourite Came And Went, to take out the Derby at the amazing odds of $21. The win, his fourth in just six starts, was just the dogs second run back after cracking a shoulder blade in the recent Champion Puppy heats at Gawler. Connections now plan to push on with the dog and seek further glory in the upcoming Group 1 Adelaide Cup, which will be run at Angle Park in October.
At an ordinary Friday night meeting at Geelong, a potential superstar was last night unearthed. Making his debut in the GRV Vic Bred Maiden series heats, the Brooke Ennis trained Old News was simply stunning in winning by 9 lengths in a flying 25.69. A son of Fernando Bale, began well from his middle draw, had to withstand some early pressure from a fellow first starter in Embassy, before careering away in the straight to win easily. Two heats of this series were conducted, with the other heat being won by the Jeff Britton trained Panama Dance in 26.21, over 7 lengths slower than Old News. The rich final will be held next Friday night, and from box 7 Old News should have little trouble in winning, but it will be all eyes on the clock, as a run under 25.50 would not surprise. Keep your eye on this fellow in the coming months, he could well be a surprise contender for The Phoenix in December.
Meadows Race 11 No 1 Rahim Bale $2.25 at PlayUp – Slow beginner who does not win out of turn, but there is no better drawn runner in Australia tonight than this fellow. Loves the rails and the two dog does like to push wide. Despite being a slow box dog, Rahim Bale does have good speed and we think he can find the lead before the first bend and then run away to victory.
Dapto Race 3 No 3 My Mate Kate $3.00 at PlayUp – Took full advantage of her rails draw here last week when she drove hard into the first turn to hold the lead and then race away to record a strong win in the handy time of 30.17 over the 520 metres. She did use a little of the track in the early stages, so the box tonight should suit her even more. Nicely bred youngster and looks a very promising type.
Geelong Race 6 No 2 Aston Value $2.60 at PlayUp – Not a strong field and this fellow continues to improve with racing. Strong winner last start at Warrnambool in good time over the 450 metres, after running a string of placings at the same venue. A repeat of last effort sees him winning again.
Geelong Race 7 No 1 Keep It Black $2.35 at PlayUp – Will find this easier than recent starts, despite the drop back in distance. Loves racing on his home track. Will need to be at his best to reel in the dog from box 2, we think he is more than capable of doing this.
Cannington Race 4 No 1 Mambo Monelli $2.40 at PlayUp – Does find trouble in his races but this is his race from this box. Ran an excellent third from this box chasing Serong four runs back and only has to run up to that run and will win. He is our best of the night and must for multi players.
