Star Victorian Pair To Renew Rivalry In Perth
10 April, 2018
Greyhound
Up Hill Jill and Striker Light, arguably Australia’s two best female greyhounds are set to renew their intense rivalry in the Perth Cup at Cannington.
The Victorian pair headline a quality list of eastern states chasers nominated for Perth’s best races: the Group 1 Perth Cup and Group 1 Galaxy.
Up Hill Jill claimed a massive scalp over her chief combatant in last month’s Group1 Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park.
Striker Light was high-balling in front, but in one of her best wins, Up Hill Jill got up in the last stride to take out Sydney’s iconic race.
Up Hill Jill, a winner of $779, 996 in stake earnings, denied Striker Light, her second consecutive victory in the Golden Easter Egg.
After their previous encounter at the Meadows last week, Up Hill Jill holds bragging rights over Striker Light with a seven win to five record.
Robbie Britton has high hopes Benali, Fernando Express, Not Available and Slingshot Gypsy, can challenge for the Perth Cup.
He also has solid clams with Rippin’ Sam, who with maturity has improved into an impressive staying prospect and Tornado Tears in the Galaxy.
Rippin’ Sam, a strongly built greyhound is knocking on the door of an elusive feature win after two recent placings in Group 1 races.
Britton said Rippin’ Sam had acclimatised well since arriving in Perth and will benefit from his first look at the Cannington track.
“He has been over for a couple of days and he is going to have a look at the track today (Tuesday),” Britton told Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“It’s important because in my mind he is a dog that needs to know where he is going.
“I would have preferred to have been here a week earlier, but he will have a look today.
“Hopefully he can qualify after the heats on Saturday, because he certainly will improve with another run.
“He is not a dog that will lead, he will be mid field, so he really needs to know where he is going.”
Tornado Tears cemented a shot at the Galaxy after a brilliant run at Sandown a week ago.
A son of Fernando Bale, Tornado Tears completed the 715m trip in 41.20sec., just a half-length outside of Miata’s long-standing track record of 41.17sec.
Britton says inexperience the only danger for Tornado Tears.
“I’m hoping he goes well, but you don’t know with a young dog that has little experience in staying ranks,” Britton said.
“If he jumps as well as he did at Sandown I would be very, very confident.
“But it’s all strange to him.”
Julio Santarelli