It took two years and seven attempts, but classy New South Wales chaser Star Torana finally broke through at group level in the $36,000 group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial at Sandown Park tonight.
At 42 months of age Star Torana was the oldest chaser in the field and was friendless in the market, sent to the boxes a $28.20 outsider. Despite the lacksteal of support from punters, Star Torana made a clean get away from box 6 to take up the early running before crossing to the rail out of the home straight. Star Torana led by two lengths down the back with eight time Sandown feature finalist Dundee Osprey in pursuit the pair soon put a gap on the rest of the field. In a thrilling run to the line, Dundee Osprey lunged at the line but couldn’t catch Star Torana who prevailed by a head.
A decade on: KJ’s return to Sandown Park
It was the second consecutive Sandown Park group final won by a New South Wales greyhound, following Ando’s Mac’s success in last month’s TAB Melbourne Cup.
“She jumped well last week and I think she got a bit lost, she hadn’t been out of the 595m boxes before,” said handler Kayla-Jane Coleman, deputising for her partner Shaun Evans.
“I was hoping she could do the same tonight and just keep her foot on the pedal. When I saw Dundee Osprey two lengths off I thought she was gone because he is a strong and very classy greyhound but to her credit she’s a very hard dog to get past once she’s on the lure.”
First reaching the race track in January 2015, Star Torana had built a solid career over the following 18 months, winning 15 of 41 starts and contesting six group finals. She was slated to retire to the breeding barn in July, but when she came on season early catching out owner Craig Beadman, the decision was made to bring her back in to racing. The decision to bring her back has proven to be a good one – since stepping up to the middle distances in October, she is yet to miss a place in six starts and at career start number 51, has finally broken through for her maiden group race success.
“She really deserved one (a group race win). She’s been in heaps and heaps of group finals and she really deserved one of those finals for herself and for the owner.
“He bought her as a pup and he just absolutely loves her – he just can’t wait to get her home and put her on the couch. She’s a really lovely dog that you can’t help but have a real affection for, she always tries her hardest whenever she races.
“She’s my favourite. The boys love her too but me and her, we’re besties. You see her before the races she gives me cuddles.”
Lining up for a cuddle after the race was Coleman’s mother Debbie, who was excited as anyone to see her daughter claim the $25,000 winner cheque.
“I was waiting to see her in the crowd because she knew I’d be crying, and I knew when I saw her I’d be crying even more. But thankfully it’s been raining and no one has seen it!”
A memorable night was made all the more special three races later when a Where Art Thou, a greyhound she bred, owns and trains, gave Coleman her first Sandown winner.
“She made hard work of it!” she said with laugh.
“I saw her get checked out to last through the first corner but when she rounded up the leader, it was very exciting to see.
“I bred the litter as well so to do it all from scratch, it makes me…. I get very emotional – I’m bit of a big sook. I’m very happy she’s done it in the big smoke down here.”
Star Torana proves too good in the 2016 Sir John Dillon Memorial
Click here for full results and replays from tonight’s racing.
Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial Honour Roll
| Year | Winner | Trainer |
| 2013 | Dashing Man | Brooke Ennis |
| 2014 | Lamia Bale | Steve Collins |
| 2015 | Lithgow Panther | Robert Britton |
| 2016 | Star Torana | Shaun Evans |
