History made at TABtouch Park Cannington
WA cashed in on the home track advantage at TABtouch Park Cannington overnight, with Christine Bennett tasting success in the Group 1 All New SEN App National Distance Final with Reidy’s Runner, before the Chris Halse trained Premium Share made it an all WA affair by taking out the Group 1 CROCMEDIA National Sprint Championship.
It is the first time in history WA trained chasers have landed the Group 1 double.
The night started on a positive note when Reidy’s Runner was able to come from midfield and produce a strong run home to win the National Distance crown.
The Christine Bennett trained Reidy’s Runner has now had 51 starts for 19 wins, with this being the champion’s first Group 1 victory. WA last won the National Sprint title in 2012 with Hall of Famer Miata and it is the third time WA have won the National Distance crown.
Bennett was elated with the victory.
“He showed everyone what he is made of tonight. I’m so proud of him,” said Bennett.
After being named the Australian Trainer of the Year at last night’s Greyhound Clubs Australia Gala Dinner, you could be excused for thinking Chris Halse’s weekend could not get better.
However, when Premium Share produced an electric finish to run down NSW star Good Odds Harada it gave Halse back to back victories in the National Sprint Final, after West on Augie took out the honours in the 2018 version in Victoria.
The last time a WA mentor trained back to back national sprint winners was in 1989 and 1990, when legendary trainer Gerry O’Keefe teamed up with Hall of Famer Sandi’s Me Mum. To this day, Sandi’s Me Mum is the only chaser to win back to back sprint titles.
“I am ecstatic, it’s amazing to go back to back as a trainer with a dog that we own,” said Halse.
The dual Group 1 victories are an enormous boost for the local industry and show our best greyhounds are as good as any in the land.
“It was a mighty night for chasing in WA with a great crowd on track cheering home two WA greyhounds. This is a very proud night for the WA greyhound racing industry,” said Racing and Wagering WA, General Manager Racing, Charlotte Mills.
Photo Credit: Hamilton Content Creators