Suffragette set the time standard in last night’s group 2 Launching Pad semi-finals by leading all of the way in a sensational 29.35 – and connections expect her to improve further again.
Suffragette won on her Sandown Park debut on New Year’s Day but hadn’t won again until the week prior to the Launching Pad series. Despite the period between wins, handler Steve White was always bullish about ‘Millie’s’ ability and had paved the path to the Launching Pad some time ago.
“We’ve always targeted her to be at her peak for the final,” he said.
“She ran 29.57 at her first go at the track so she’s improved about four lengths on that run, and ran what I thought she’d run last week before she found trouble. Her box manners have improved and she’s getting stronger, though she does have a habit of turning in a bad run every now and again but she’s been pretty good in her last four starts.”
Suffragette is trainer Kerrie White’s first group race finalist. As well as being the fastest semi-final winner, Suffragette also recorded the best first split of the night, leading TAB to install her as the $2.70 early favourite to claim the $150,000 winner’s cheque despite drawing box 6 for the final.
“She came out running tonight, she’s going to have to again in the final,” was White’s assessment of the draw.
Earlier in the night, Shantui caused an upset when he came from last on leaving the straight for the first time to sweep around his rivals and score in 29.72. It was a blow out result for punters – Shantui paid $27.10 for the win – and helped lead to a massive quaddie dividend of $32,307. Indeed, it highlighted a difficult night overall for punters with just one favourite winning on the 12 race card.
The second semi-final went to Zippy Daph which led all of the way to defeat the gallant Zipping Bronze by two lengths in 29.64. Zippy Daph made the most of her first inside box draw in nine starts, jumping flawlessly from box 2 to record her seventh career win.
Oronsay caused the second boilover of the semi-finals when she landed the $10,000 winners cheque in 29.64. Oronsay ($21.90) got an early bump out of the boxes before showing brilliant early dash to open a two length gap over He’s Loaded, a margin she’d maintain to the finish line to also score in 29.64. Thursday night will be the second group final of Oronsay’s 10 race career having already claimed the group 3 VicBred Maiden final at The Meadows in March.
Four heats of the Launching Pad Consolation series opened the night’s racing, with exciting youngster Raw Ability recording the fastest heat win – and fasted time of the night – in 29.31.
The group 2 Launching Pad is a sweepstakes series that saw connections of each greyhound pay $2000 for a spot in the heats. The series carries $400,000 in prize money with overall winner pocketing $150,000.
The final of the Launching Pad will be run on Thursday 13 April and is the on track highlight of one of the club’s biggest nights of the year, the Easter Kids Fun Night. There will be stacks of free family entertainment including a massive Easter Egg hunt, music, prizes and giveaways.
Entry to all race meetings at Sandown Park is fee.
Click here for full results from Launching Pad semi-final night
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Click here for Easter Kids Fun Night details
Suffragette leads all of the way to set the Launching Pad time standard in 29.35
