Last night Banjo Bewdy showcased another brilliant performance when taking out the second event at Sandown Park.
Banjo Bewdy began well from box eight and mustered pace to lead around the first bend. She quickly extended her gap to six lengths down the back straight, before going to win by 2 ¾ lengths in a solid 29.67.
Trainer Ken Virtue was pleased to see a new side of his chaser that he hasn’t seen before.
“I saw a different side to her, which was good – she accelerated and was forced to sit three wide at the turn which I thought was good – rather than just going to the front and being one-dimensional,“ said Virtue.
Although it was Banjo Bewdy’s first race at the track, it wasn’t her first visit having trialed exceptionally well prior to the run.
“I only trialed her once at Sandown and she went 4.89 to the first split, she went 5.08 last night which is alright but it’s a long way off 4.89 isn’t it,” laughed Virtue.
Banjo Bewdy’s racing career is set to thrive, however it hasn’t always been smooth sailing as she caused connections some grief with her antics.
“Andrew (owner) and I bought her when she was eight months old for $2,000, as a potential mating for Banjo Boy – we sent her to NSW to be broken in – she was an absolute nightmare, she never stopped barking.”
My wife and I were planning to move house and she said ‘you can’t take her with us, she’s going to get us into too much trouble,’ so she started her racing career in New South Wales.”
Banjo Bewdy’s last start in NSW was back in March, shortly after she returned to Victoria.
“I thought we’re going to have to put up with the barking – but she’s got a lot better, she’s very well behaved.”
Virtue has high hopes for Banjo Bewdy, however has his feet set firm on the ground.
“I don’t have any illusions I know how tough it is when racing in higher grades, and she needs to consistently begin well because with the dogs she’s going to run into she won’t want to be giving them starts or sitting three wide.”
Banjo Bewdy’s next assignment will likely be the first of four TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude series’ on September 24. The night will also see the inaugural running of the Speed Star – eight of the country’s fastest greyhounds set to compete head to head in four match races, click here for more information.
Click here for all of last night’s results.
