Northam season kicks off in style
5 April, 2019
Greyhound
The new season of chasing at Northam got off to a flying start on Monday with Tourism, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia on track to approve the recent implementation of the new hoop arm lure system at the track.
Shinboner ran the best of the day time of 30.05 seconds over the 509 metres for Trainer Graeme Hall in a Grade 6 race defeating Nothing To Prove by a length after sitting on top of the speed throughout.
It was the first leg of a training double for Hall who saw Just a Mystery break her Maiden tag when successful over the 297 metres in 17.63 seconds later into the program.
Best of the day from a 297 metre perspective was set by the ultra-talented Quara’s Emma for Trainer James Jeffries who dominated proceedings last season.
Quara’s Emma was forced to earn her victory by Herkle Li who was just half a length off the winner. Quara’s Emma stopped the clock at 17.32 seconds.
Mick McLennan had a great start to the day landing a double with Tango Dancer who won a Grade 6 over the 297 metres in 17.51 seconds and Freak On Knee who led throughout to win a Novice event over the 509 metres in 30.26.
Kody Charles was the other Trainer on the program to take out a double with It’s A Diamond coming from well back to win a Mixed Grade 5/6 over 509 metres in 30.49 seconds while Zipping Milly scraped home to defeat Zamazan by a neck in a Grade 6 over the 509 metres in 30.37.
Other winners on the day were Tavata who led throughout for Trainer Phil Worthington, Cecil Benz for Murray Stewart who was impressive in a Mixed Grade 4/5, Ezy Dollars who took out a Mixed Grade 5/6 over 297 metres for Trainer Dave Brown and Wagtail Mavis who led throughout for Trainer Michael Hine in a Grade 6 over the 397 metres.
Chasing will take place each Monday afternoon at the Northam circuit throughout the Winter season into the back end of 2019.
Up and coming WA Sprinter Campini goes around at Wentworth Park on Saturday night in a heat of the time honoured Golden Easter Egg for Trainer Paul Stuart.
Campini ran 4th in the recent Perth Cup final after finding plenty of bother in the run and trialled in slick time at the Wentworth Park circuit last Saturday night.
Campini needs to run top three or be one of the 2 fastest fourths to qualify through to the semi-finals.
He has drawn box 7 in race 7 which takes place at 6.13pm WA time Saturday night.
Also engaged in the series are the 2019 Perth Cup winner Orson Allen, Perth Cup placegetter Dyna Patty and some of the stars of Australian chasing including Poke The Bear, Black Opium, Midnight Dare and Mystic Riot.
Saturday night’s Lew Dorsa Memorial Trophy Final at Cannington should be an exciting affair with Perth Cup runner-up Hecton Bale the well backed $1.55 favourite on fixed odds with TABtouch.
Hecton Bale was the fastest qualifier when winning his heat in 29.78 and the winner of 20 races and more than $468,000 in prizemoney has drawn favourably in box three for the final.
The 2018 Australian Cup winner opened at $1.80 for the final and has been heavily commissioned into his current quote of $1.55.
Hecton Bale’s kennelmate Verne Allen has a great record off box one and looms as a solid each way hope for Trainer Enzo Crudeli at $18 the win and $3.25 the place.
DAVID SHORTTE