Equanimity To Go East
2 May, 2018
Greyhound
2017 Perth Cup winner Equanimity will head to the east coast to continue his racing career after he lines up at Cannington on Saturday night.
Equanimity will head to the kennels of Seona and Jason Thompson in Victoria, where he will likely be targeted at upcoming country cups, before he returns to defend his All Stars title at Cannington in October.
Equanimity’s owner and breeder Robbie Brankstone said it was a great chance to be able to place his star chaser in the kennels of one of Victoria’s leading trainers.
“For the Thompson’s to have Aston Dee Bee, Bewildering, Poke The Bear and and Extreme Magic in their kennel, it’s quite an honour for Seona to give him a go,” he said.
“He flies out Tuesday night, and arrives next Wednesday, and will have a trial at Sandown Saturday week.
“In Victoria there are so many tracks, and the good chasers are spread out.”
Brankstone also said he felt the change in scenery would be good for Equanimity.
“He can find another lease on life,” he said.
“Fingers crossed he can show them how good he can be.
“Our good dogs can match the best in Australia.”
The Group 1 winner missed out on qualifying for this year’s Perth Cup after he was beaten by eventual winner Trouper Monelli in his heat on April 14, before he was fifth in the Consolation a week later.
However, the star chaser bounced back to his best form last Saturday night, with a tough win over Trouper Monelli in a 520m Free For All.
Brankstone said while it was disappointing not to win the Perth Cup, winning the Free For All last week was a nice consolation prize.
“I was over the moon to get the win on the board, even though it is probably a week or two too late,” he said.
“For the past two Perth Cup winners run one-two…it shows it was a quality field.
“It was nice he got one back up on Trouper Monelli.”
This week, Equanimity meets three of the same chasers he defeated last weekend, but Brankstone said it would be a lot more difficult to repeat the winning effort of last weekend given he is drawn box eight.
“This week is very tough,” he said.
“Black Bombshell grows a leg from the red box, and Max Profit is very speedy from box four.
“He’s not completely out of contention, but the outside box makes it tough.”
The Fast Fun Affordable Free For All jumps at 8.12 at Cannington on Saturday night.
Tim Walker