Tonight’s four feature finals served as a perfect entrée to what promises to be a stellar moth of racing at Sandown Park.
The night’s opening final, the GRV VBIS Maiden Final was a two dog race between two exciting well-bred youngsters with contrasting racing styles.
You Say Goodbye ($2.60), who’s half brother Hello Goodbye won the Queensland Derby, jumped well from box 8 to lead through the first turn. Pulverize ($3.60), who’s littermate Phenomenal is one of the state’s most exciting greyhounds, began only fairly from box four, switching to the rail and setting off in pursuit of the early leader.
Despite his best efforts, Pulverize was unable to reel in You Say Goodbye who raced to a 1¾ length victory in 29.69. The Kel Greenough trained youngster remained undefeated through the series, and the 21 month old son of Premier Fantasy has already racked up almost $18,000 in prize money as well several thousand more in GOBIS bonuses.
While favourite punters were happy with the result, they were blown out of the water by the winner of the Listed Lizrene (715m) in the following race when Amity Flame claimed the $15,000 winner’s purse at a stunning price of $46.10.
Favourite and three time Group 1 winner Destini Fireball settled second behind Proven Impala while Amity Flame sat behind the early leaders. Amity Flame made his move as Destini Fireball began to tire, and in a thrilling run to the line, swept down the middle of the track to claim a three quarter of a length victory in a slick 41.91.
While the win was just his fifth in 21 starts, it was Amity Flame’s second feature race win after claiming the Victoria Cup at Cranbourne in January, again at big odds.
“It’s amazing,” said an ecstatic owner/trainer Anthony Flores.
“To beat a field like that and in that time, it’s just fantastic. I can’t believe it”
Surf Mail continued his outstanding form when he took out the Bert Bryant Memorial (595m).
Trainer Darren McDonald was confident his charge’s chances from box 8, and despite being posted wide throughout the run, proved too good for the fast finishing Bagget bale and tiring Katie Merry in 34.21.
It was Surf Mail’s sixth win in his last seventh start and took his career prize money to $59,701, justifying Queensland owner Les Kelly’s decision to send him south.
“I think Darren McDonald is the best trainer in the country. I grew up following his dogs, to own a dog trained by him now and to win a race of this standing is a real thrill,” said part owner Les Kelly.
The win was Surf Mail’s second feature win at Sandown Park having taken out the Ron Nestor Memorial in April.
The night’s final feature event was the Bill Collins Memorial and it was Hall Of Fame trainer Graeme Bate who came to the fore, leading home the quinella with Fully Advanced defeating kennel mate Imry Bale by a length in 29.70.
Fully Advanced began brilliantly from box three to lead clearly through the first turn. Cailyn Bale set off in pursuit while Imry Bale, winner of this event in 2012, railed strongly after beginning poorly.
Turning for home, Imry Bale railed under Cailyn Bale but could not real in Fully Advanced, the six time Group race finalist winning for the 19th time in his career and taking his career prize money to $147,145.
It was also a big night off the track after the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club announced three exciting initiatives in its 2013/14 racing calendar:
Increasing the RSN Sandown Cup to $250,000
Introducing a million dollar Triple Crown
Adding a trip to Paris as an incentive to Lady Trainers to nominate for the Judy Hayley Memorial series.
The racing action will continue to heat up over the next three weeks with more than $500,000 in prize money to be won in three group finals, including:
The $145,000 Group 1 Macro Meats Sapphire Crown
The $145,000 Group 2 Harrison-Dawson
The $177,500 Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup
Heats for the Macro Meats Sapphire Crown and Harrison-Dawson will be run on Thursday 9 May with the finals to be run the following week. The final of the RSN Sandown Cup will be run on Thursday 23 May.
