Bolt Like Bekim breaks through at HQ

Bolt Like Bekim last night announced himself as another weapon of Rob Britton’s current domination of greyhound racing’s staying ranks.

Bolt Like Bekim threatened to break through after he was impressive when 4th behind Ebby Ripper in last week’s Listed Cup Night Stayers.

He was heavily supported all day with tab.com.au ($6 into $3.60) and once he settled in the first half of the field it was obvious that he was going to be awfully hard to beat. He let rip down the back straight and swamped the leaders turning for home as he went on to win by 6¼ lengths in a fast 41.58 (715m).

His owner David Power was proud of ‘Duke’.

“He went really well. He’s always shown ability, but last night he came out of the boxes better than what he normally does. I was pretty happy to see him settle where he did,” said Power.

Power trained Bolt Like Bekim before sending him to the Rob Britton kennel. The move was made in February with an aim to give Bolt Like Bekim more opportunity with more suitable races in Victoria.

“He’s the best trainer. He’ll (Bolt Like Bekim) get more opportunity. I’m only a hobby trainer so to get the best out of him I sent him to Robert.”

Power trains a small team of greyhounds himself in the New South Wales town of Weston, just outside of Cessnock.

“My daughter (Courtney) and I work as a team. She does all the handling at the tracks. We’ve only got the three kennels.”

Some of the country’s best stayers will head to Albion Park next Thursday night for heats of the group 1 Gold Cup. Both Power and Britton are yet to decide whether Bolt Like Bekim will head to Queensland for the event.

RSN Sandown Cup hero Tornado Tears will spearhead the attack on the series for Robert Britton Greyhound Training. Joining him will be star litter brother and RSN Sandown Cup runner-up Rippin’ Sam, brothers Benali and Barcali plus Back On Lava. UPDATE: Bolt Like Bekim will head to the Gold Cup heats

Quick Jagger will be flown back to his home state of Western Australia to contest a local feature event.

Click here for last night’s results