Evergreen Queenslander Glen Gallon stormed into his 14th Group final with a dazzling win in his heat of the Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park tonight.
A tardy start saw the rising four year old shuffled worse than midfield through the first turn and was unable to find a clear run down the back straight. However when the run presented itself coming off the back, the son of Flying Stanley showed the tenacity and desire to win that has made him one of the country’s most popular chasers, storming through the field to reign in early leader Nico Bale and salute in 29.39.
“It’s very humbling watching him win like that,” said his awestruck trainer Tony Brett.
“They were high balling to the back mark and he was working out which way he was going to go. I expected to look up and see 29.60 (race time) but to see the time he posted makes you appreciate how good he is.”
The win was Glen Gallon’s 34th from 61 career starts and took his career prize money beyond $500,000. A win in next week’s final would catapult him to third place on the all time prize money list.
“He’s raced in top class his entire career and is probably the hardest chaser I’ve ever had. Whether he’s two lengths off or five lengths off you’re always in with half a chance because he just tries so hard.
Brett’s affection for his star is clear.
“He’s very special. He’s won half a million dollars but it’s more than that. The dog has such a great personality, it’s amazing how many people love him. He deserves it all and a win next week would be a great reward for him.”
Warrnambool Classic winner Premier Event continued his outstanding form, leading all of the way to win his heat in 29.54.
Premier Event carved out an impressive first split of 5.02 and showed great strength at the end of the run to hold out Kevin Bale by 1.75 lengths.
“He’s racing with great confidence and that’s the key to him,” said trainer Angela Langton.
“He had a little injury and had some time off but he’s got a few runs under his belt and has a bit of fitness up. He ran 29.49 here in a maiden final so I know he can do it at both ends of his race, and he’s only coming up to two years of age so he’s only going to get better.”
Garrick Bale, the only runner for the powerful Andrea Dailly kennel, caused the upset of the night when it defeated long odds on favourite Ronan Izmir in 29.61.
Dual country cups winner Ronan Izmir missed the start from box 1 and soon found trouble, paving the way for Garrick Bale to reach its second Group final in three starts.
Former New Zealand chaser Clone Your Own scored its second consecutive win at Sandown Park after it showed sensational mid-race pace to win its heat in 29.41.
Clone Your Own had been racing over the ‘shorts’ in New Zealand before arriving in Robert Britton’s Lara kennels in April and has since won three of its five Australia starts.
Graeme Bate will launch a three pronged attack at claiming his second Harrison-Dawson after Schroder Bale and litter mates Kevin Bale and Imry bale finished second in their respective heats, while Hurricane Isaac gave Anthony Flores his biggest thrill in the sport by securing a start in his first Group race final.
The $145,000 Group 2 Harrison-Dawson is the richest open age dogs only race in the country, and is run in conjunction with the $145,000 Group 1 Sapphire Crown for female greyhounds.
The final of both finals will be run on Thursday 16 May and will coincide with the heats of Australia’s richest race for stayers, the Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup.
