Rippin’ Win By Sam
22 April, 2018
Greyhound
Less than a month after champion greyhound Fanta Bale ran her last race, the Robert Britton kennel looks to have found her heir apparent.
Rippin’ Sam recorded his first Group 1 win in the Sky Racing-Galaxy (715m) at Cannington last night, and did so in his familiar racing pattern.
The son of Fernando Bale was a warm $2.05 TABtouch favourite, and looked to be in trouble when he had to check off heels in the back straight.
But Rippin’ Sam powered over the top of local stars Quick Jagger and Moment To Jive, and record three-quarter length win in a time of 41.70.
Kennel representative Brendan Pursell said he didn’t expect Rippin’ Sam to be as good as Fanta Bale, but felt the best was yet to come with the chaser.
“There’s a bit of pressure on him, because everyone compares him to Fanta Bale, which he will probably never be that,” he told TABradio’s The Sunday Aftermath.
“If he gets a clear run like last night…you can see what he can really do.
“He’s got a lot of ability, he’s very strong and hopefully he will get better and better.”
Pursell said Rippin’ Sam, who took his earnings close to $200,000 last night, get back and run on racing pattern meant he needed luck to win big races.
“He needs that little bit of luck early,” he said.
“He probably jumped the best he has ever jumped.
“I think there’s only been one race at The Meadows, where he worked around them and got to the front early and won by 13 lengths.”
Pursell said Rippin’ Sam would likely head towards the Speed Star, before the Sandown Cup, both next month.
The win was Britton’s third success in the race in the past five years, after Born Ali won in 2014 and Space Star in 2015.
Meanwhile, Benali was the first leg of a winning double for the Britton kennel, taking out the Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation.
Pursell said it was a plesant surprise to see the son of Barcia Bale take out the 520m event.
“His draw wasn’t good,” he said.
“Most of the time he’s better off drawn four or five.
“It worked out pretty good, a few of them missed it and once he got around them on that turn he had to run down Chris Halse’s dog.”
Tim Walker