CHARLES LOOKING FOR OAKS UPSET
Trainer Kody Charles is hoping his lightly raced sprinter Cobargo can cause an upset and deliver him his first ever Group 2 feature when she comes from box six in Saturday night’s WA Oaks final.
Charles, who is also a very accomplished breeder in the world of harness racing, has bred 7 Group 1 winners in the standardbreds with his operation KTC Bloodstock and he is hoping for some Group success at the greyhounds this time around.
“I have been lucky enough to breed some Group winners at the Trots but so far Group success has eluded me at the greyhounds.” Charles commented.
“Cobargo has just kept improving each time we take her to the track and last week her effort to win an Oaks heat was very good.” Charles continued.
“She did benefit from having a vacant box next door but she cashed in on getting that room early and really nailed the start.” Charles added.
Cobargo led throughout in her heat coming from box four to defeat West On Magada by a touch over a length, covering the 520 metres in a time of 30.01 seconds.
It was the daughter of Burn One Down and Abby Normal’s fourth win at start number ten and took her career earnings past $17,000.
Cobargo’s father Burn One Down was an exceptional stayer taking out the 2017 Group 1 Zoom Top, 2016 Group 2 Topgun Stayers and a further three Group 3 victories. He retired having won 34 races and earning more than half a million dollars.
It was that link to Burn One Down and a look at Abby Normal’s pedigree that led Charles to Cobargo.
“I loved watching Burn One Down race and this was his first ever litter so I thought I would take a punt and get involved with a couple of his pups.” Charles said.
“The Mum was a daughter of US Stud sensation KC And All as well so she has a bit of pedigree behind her.” Charles added.
Cobargo is not the only princess in the life of Charles either with his partner Brittani giving birth to a beautiful baby girl Saige just five weeks ago.
“It has been a big few weeks for us that is for sure. A win for Cobargo in the Oaks would cap it off nicely.” Charles suggested.
“I think Dave Hobby’s dogs drawn on the inside, in particularly Thrift Monelli will take some beating but Cobargo will be there giving it everything she has got.” Charles concluded.
Trainer Michael Rylands is no martial arts Dojo but he sure knows a thing or two about Judo.
The greyhound Judo, or “Richard” as he is more affectionately known around the kennels, is having his sixth Birthday on Sunday May 31 and Michael can’t wait to celebrate the occasion with the son of Where’s Pedro and Lightning La La.
“I love all of my greyhounds but Richard is a really special character and I get enormous satisfaction out of watching him race.” Rylands said.
Judo has had 118 career starts for 8 wins and a further 22 placings and while he won’t go down in the history books as a champion on the track he holds a special place in the heart of Rylands.
“He lets me know when he is ready to race and that is when I nominate him.” Rylands said.
“I spend a fair bit of time at the beach with him and he lives his life as our pet.” Rylands added.
Not only is Judo still racing as a rising six year old but a month ago at start number 115 he recorded a new personal best time of 16.18 seconds when winning over the 275 metres.
“I was so very proud of his win last month – to be still running personal bests at his age shows just how much he loves his racing.” Rylands suggested.
Judo will be having his 119th career start and his first as a six year old when he competes in a Country Grade 4/5 race over the 275 metres at Cannington on Monday.
David Shortte