Halse looking for premium result in Mandurah Derby Final
Halse looking for premium result in Mandurah Derby Final
Tonight’s $8,000 to the winner Mandurah Derby Final has drawn together a quality batch of youngsters with It’s A Storm, Sprite Monelli and Premium Share all expected to figure prominently after impressive performances in their heats.
The talented trio had just a length and a half separating them in their heat with the winner It’s A Storm running 27.27 when defeating Sprite Monelli by half a length with a further length back to Premium Share.
The undefeated It’s A Storm looms as the greyhound to beat after recording a sizzling early split of 5.69 from box one in his heat.
Earlier this week on Greyhound Gossip on TAB Radio kennel spokesperson Steve Shinners spoke to Peter O’Neill and Gareth Hall in regards to the prospects of It’s A Storm in the final.
“In his heat he wanted to take a step to the right early so box seven shouldn’t be so bad for him.” Shinners said.
“He can really get out of the boxes and run along early in his races so hopefully he can do so again this week.” Shinners added.
Sprite Monelli looms as one of the major threats from box eight and the son of Magic Sprite and Jackie Bale has handled the widest of draws competently in his career to date with his two tries in pink resulting in a win and a close up second.
The third of the key fancies Premium Share has only recently returned from a stint in Victoria where the son of Kinloch Brae and Shared Equity competed in the Launching Pad Series.
Last week Premium Share overcame and early check to stick on well to the hot tempo being set by It’s A Storm and Sprite Monelli and should that duo find any trouble from their wide draws in the final it would bring Premium Share right in to play.
Kennel Spokesperson Linda Britton suggested Premium Share just needed a bit of luck early to play a part in the finish.
“Like most of these he is still pretty new to racing and he will just need an ounce of luck in the early stages.” she said.
“If he can get that early good fortune and get room to move he will take some stopping.” Britton added.
“He is a pretty quick dog with a clear run – hopefully he gets the chance to show that tonight.” Britton concluded.
There are also two heats of the Mandurah Oaks on the program where Halse will send around Fancy Francene and Venus and Mars.
“Unfortunately we have had to scratch out Kiss Me Linda who has some sand toe but it is nothing serious and we hope to have her right for the WA Oaks.” Britton commented.
“It leaves us with Fancy Francene as our sole runner in the first heat and she looks well placed.” Britton said.
“She has settled in well since arriving from Victoria and she has a sub 30 second win over the 525 metres at the Meadows so she can really run along on her night.” Britton added.
In the other of the heats Venus and Mars will exit box five.
“Venus has the early pace to overcome the draw but last time she raced at Mandurah she did get run down. ” Britton commented.
“She has since won over the 520 metres at Cannington in 30.23 so hopefully she runs it out a bit stronger this time around.” Britton concluded.
Jerky Boy is another runner from the Halse kennels who looks primed for a strong performance when he exits box five in the Free To All over the 405 metres.
“Jerky Boy runs into Mottza who has been flying lately so it will be tough to beat but we couldn’t be happier with him.” Britton said.
“He had a major stopper bone injury so to see him come back to the track and race in the fashion he has is just awesome.” Britton added.
On Saturday night at Cannington National Sprint Champion West On Augie returns to racing after a stint on the sidelines.
“He pulled up sore after the Perth Cup with a strained hock.” Britton commented.
“We gave him a nice break and he has since had a couple of nice 400 metre trials which we have been happy with.” Britton added.
“He will improve on whatever he does on Saturday but we are expecting him to run well.” Britton concluded.
NATIONAL GREYHOUND ADOPTION DAY
Last Sunday was National Greyhound Adoption Day and it proved an enormous success with 207 greyhounds adopted Australia wide on the day.
Locally 48 greyhounds were available for rehoming and all 48 found new homes on the day.
Approximately 100 applications for adoptions were received locally with more than 240 people attending the event at the GAP kennels in Southern River.
Along with GAP staff, 30 GAP Volunteers also assisted in the smooth running of the event.
Renowned WA Veterinarian and animal welfare advocate, Dr Garnett Hall, was announced as the ambassador for the WA GAP National Adoption Day and he did a stellar job in spreading the word to the mainstream media of the event.
There was extensive Media coverage on Channel 9, 6PR, 6IX, ABC Radio and TAB Radio with comprehensive Social Media coverage across various platforms.
Days like this are wonderful in regards to spreading the word as to what great pets our beautiful greyhounds make post-racing and a huge congratulations goes to the team for making Sunday possible.
Some photos of the National Greyhound Adoption Day are attached.
DAVID SHORTTE