Up Hill Jill upstaged long odds on favourite Aston Dee Bee to claim the $22,000 listed Australian Sprint tonight.
Aston Dee Bee entered the event on a nine race winning streak and was sent to the boxes a $1.30 favourite to claim his fifth black type event, however it was Up Hill Jill who won the break to take the early lead. Aston Dee Bee collided with Jimmy Newob entering the first turn allowing Up Hill Jill to race away to a six length break down the back straight. Despite Aston Dee Bee’s best efforts, he was unable to reel in Up Hill Jill who held on to score by a length in 29.29.
“What a great win,” said a delighted trainer David Geall after the race.
“It was a good field and she had to lead them. I was a bit worried early, she didn’t jump as well as she can but geez she really got going off the back.”
As she approaches her third birthday Up Hill Jill is racing as well as ever. On the short back up from an unlucky third in the group 1 Paws of Thunder at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, her win tonight shaved more than two lengths off her previous best time at the track while also recording her best run home time. She’s missed a place just three times in 15 starts at the track (one of which was in the group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup final) and the $15,000 first prize leaves her just $1219 shy of becoming the 27th greyhound to reach half a million dollars in prize money.
“You won’t get a better greyhound to train. In all facets, personality, at home, in the kennel at the track everything is perfect with this girl. Maybe that’s why these elite dogs are elite, with those traits. I’ve never had one like it.”
Up Hill Jill will now be set for the group 2 Cranbourne Cup before targeting the Temlee and Australian Cup at the Meadows.
Up Hill Jill defeats Aston Dee Bee to win the Australian Sprint
Earlier in the night, exciting middle distance prospect Hecton Bale claimed his first feature win after holding off champion Fanta Bale in the listed Maidment Memorial.
Despite drawing box 6 and on a short back up from a group 2 win over 720m at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, Fanta Bale started the punter’s elect but immediately found trouble at box rise, dropping to last with a lap to go in the 595m event.
Hecton Bale also made a tardy start but capitalised on a clear passage through the first turn to sweep three wide around the leaders and assume control of the race entering the back straight.
Fanta Bale picked her way through the field to set up a thrilling finish but Hecton Bale prevailed by a head in a slick time of 34.20 and claim his first feature victory, and the third straight Maidment Memorial winner to win from box 4.
Interestingly, despite winning two group 1 finals and missing a place just once in 22 starts at Sandown Park, she is winless in five finals below group 1 level. It’s a record that echoes her overall feature final record where she has won 7 of 8 group 1 finals she’s contested, but just 4 of 12 at listed, group 3 or group 2 level.
Fanta Bale has now won $1,182,975 in career prize money and is continuing to close in on Fernando Bale’s record $1,299,370
Hecton Bale holds off the fast finishing Fanta Bale to win the Maidment Memorial
Click here for full results from last night’s meeting.
