Space Star out of this world!

Thursday, 14 May, 2015, by Sandown

Space Star wowed the crowd at Sandown Park last night when running the second fastest time ever recorded of the distance in his heat of the RSN Sandown Cup.

Backed into $1.40 with tab.com.au, Space Star gave favourite punters no reason for concern, jumping cleanly and extending his margin at every split to stop the clock in a dazzling 41.26 – 12 lengths clear of Mullaway.

Race 7_001“He’s racing with real confidence and that’s the key,” said trainer Robert Britton.

“You see how he came out tonight, I’d suggest that late last year he’d have been back in the pack. He’s really starting to learn his craft.”

Space Star, a winner of 11 of his 12 starts in 2015, has been the country’s dominant stayer for the past six months, racking up three group 1 victories as well as a group 2 and a group 3. Space Star has not missed a place since October 2014 (and only once in 28 starts since July 2014) and next week’s RSN Sandown Cup will be his seventh group 1 final. Britton however is not getting ahead of himself and is wary of the quality of the opposition he will face in the final.

“The times he’s run at The Meadows and at Wentworth Park shows that he’s right on top of his game, but he’s still got to do it for one more week. Greyhound racing is a funny game, you still need to have things go your way.”

While Space Star recorded the most dominant win of the four heats, defending RSN Sandown Cup champion Sweet It Is recorded the most exciting win.

As is her racing style, Sweet It Is found herself last 8 lengths behind early leader Agent Jack by the time the field reached the first turn. After a lap she was still last 12 lengths adrift of the leaders, however she had started to make her move, picking her way through the strung out field and unleashing a finishing burst reminiscent of the great Bold Trease to sweep past Zipping Maggie and score a stunning two length victory in 41.82.

“She’s an amazing dog,” said her awestruck trainer Braden Finn.

Sweet It Is won four group 1 events in 2014, including both Sandown Park group 1 staying features. She had a three month layoff after her Sale Cup campaign in December, and with five runs under her belt following a since resuming Finn is confident his champion is returning to her peak.

“She’s not too far off her best. She’s three and a half now so we won’t get her back to where she was a year ago, but she won and that’s all she can do. I’m just happy to get her into the final, it’s a great feeling.”

Lady Toy and Unix Bale claimed the two earlier heats and, along with the runner up from each heat, will progress to next Thursday’s $250,000 final.

The RSN Sandown Cup heats were just one feature on a big night of greyhound racing that saw two group 1 finals decided.

Fernando Bale claimed his third group 1 win of 2015 with a comprehensive win in the $145,000 Harrison-Dawson, while Lamia Bale held off Angie Rocks in a thrilling conclusion to the $145,000 group 1 Sapphire Crown.

The box draw for the world’s richest race for stayers, the $250,000 RSN Sandown Cup, will be conducted live on RSN Breakfast with Chrisso & Maguane from 6.45am on Monday 11 May and will be available on www.sandowngreyhounds.com.au and through the club’s social channels soon after.

Click here for full results from last night’s meeting.

Space Star scores a devastating RSN Sandown Cup heat win

 

Sweet It Is comes from last to win her RSN Sandown Cup heat

 

Click here to see Lady Toy qualify for the RSN Sandown Cup

Click here to see Unix Bale claim the opening RSN Sandown Cup heat