Iva Vision of greatness


Iva Vision confirmed itself as one of the country’s premier greyhounds after leading all of the way in the Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout at Sandown Park tonight.

Trained by Queenslander Peter Young and represented by his father Brian, Iva Vision provided the pair with the biggest win of their training career in claiming one of greyhound racing’s most sought after titles.

MACRO MEATS SHOOTOUT - Iva Vision head shot“He jumped a lot better than he did last at his last start, but I knew there were some really strong dogs in the race and when Oakvale Destiny loomed on the back straight I thought it would test him out. But he’s never been passed in a race when leading and fortunately he hung on,” said Brian.

Iva Vision began well to lead the four-dog field to the first turn, where Oakvale Destiny (which gained a start following the scratching of Banjo Boy) shifted out and checked Awesome Project which in turn checked Allen Deed to allow the Queenslander to open a three length lead down the back straight.

Despite Oakvale Destiny’s best efforts, Iva Vision held on to claim the $50,000 first prize by 1¼ lengths in 29.27 seconds.

Following the boxdraw the previous Thursday, Iva Vision opened as much as $8 for the final, a price good enough coax Bran out of a decade long punting hiatus.

“I haven’t had a bet for 10 years – probably longer – I can’t remember the last time I had a bet. But when I saw him at $8 in a four dog field, I thought I have to have a few dollars on him. Then the next day I saw he was $7.50 so I thought I’d have a few dollars more,” he said with a laugh.

Iva Vision would eventually start the race at $4.50 – the longest priced Shootout winner since Silver Saul in 2002 and the second longest priced winner in the race’s 16 years history.

By little known sire Ivan Brown – which won just four races in his 12 race career for $4,150 in prize money and which has just nine litters on the ground – Iva Vision has exceeded all expectations the Youngs had set their kennel star.

“We bred the litter with the hope of winning a few races at Albion Park but it was pretty clear early on that he was a bit special. Everyone said we have to travel with them, not that we’re very good travellers, but we’re getting more experience with it.

“We are fortunate to be able to stay with the Greenoughs while in Melbourne and I can’t thank them enough for opening their doors and welcoming me in.”

The win was Iva Vision’s second Group title following his Group 3 South Australian Derby win in September, improving his overall record to 12 wins from 18 starts with three minor placings, and took his prize money to $109,200.

Iva Vision will remain in Victoria following tonight’s win in preparation for next Thursday night’s TAB Melbourne Cup heats. The winner of each heat will progress to the world’s richest greyhound race, the $600,000 TAB Melbourne Cup on Friday 21 November.

For further information about the TAB Melbourne Cup, visit www.superdogs.com.au.

Iva Vision wins the 2014 Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout