Stuart reflects on a dream night
15 March, 2019
Greyhound
Photo: Campini with Paul Stuart and connections after one of his victories.
Back in 2013 local Trainer Paul Stuart achieved a phenomenal feat taking out his hometown Group 1 double with Hall Of Famer Miata winning the Group 1 Galaxy and Dyna Nalin reigning supreme in the Group 1 SKY Racing Perth Cup final.
While he looks back now with fond memories he remembers being a lot more edgy in the build up to the night, in particular with his mighty bitch Miata.
“Ín hindsight it seems crazy but I can remember an enormous sense of relief when Miata won the Galaxy.” Stuart said.
“A victory was set to see her become the highest stakemoney earner in the history of greyhound racing and the build up and expectation was enormous.” he added.
“I had a TV crew from Channel 7 following her every move on race night and she was something like $1.04 on the fixed odds to win.”
“She had a few issues with her shoulder heading into the race and I can remember thinking this could be a massive fizzer if she doesn’t get the cash.”
As it turns out Stuart had nothing to worry about with his freak stayer putting on an exhibition and blitzing her rivals to win by a massive margin and bring up back to back Galaxy victories.
“She was simply awesome and it panned out that I had nothing to worry about but I can remember being really stressed out and I was just so relieved when she got the job done.” Stuart said.
Stuart had three runners engaged on the night and he was a lot more relaxed by the time he took Military Power to the boxes for a Grade 5 event a couple of races later.
“I was a lot more comfortable when I took Military Power to the boxes for a Grade 5 a couple of races later and as luck would have it he was able to win.” Stuart commented.
“Before I knew it I was walking to the boxes with Dyna Nalin for the Perth Cup and by then I was a lot more relaxed.” he added.
“He was only a very lightly raced dog and while he was very talented there was no expectations on him so I really got to enjoy the race.”
“He had the right sort of run and in the home straight he powered home all over the top of them.”
“It was the sort of night dreams are made of really. I’ll never forget it.” Stuart concluded.
This Saturday night Stuart has a host of runners engaged in heats of the Perth Cup and Galaxy but is not foreseeing a repeat of the 2013 feat.
“I have a nice team of dogs at the moment and you always hope for the best but there are certainly no outrageous expectations of how they might go over the next couple of weeks.” Stuart said.
In the first Perth Cup heat Stuart has Love Me Tinder coming from box three while he has Orson Allen staying at his property for the Perth Cup series.
“I rate Orson Allen as one of the most exciting dogs in Australia and he has settled in really well. I can’t fault him.” Stuart said.
“Love Me Tinder is well drawn down near the rails and is a solid place hope but I can’t see him beating Orson Allen.”
Starlight Yoyo is the next of Stuart’s runners drawn box 8 in heat two.
“Yoyo is going well but I can see him getting left out wide on the track and he runs into Dyna Patty who is flying.” Stuart said.
In race three exciting speedster Campini will represent Stuart from box 5.
“He is trialling as quick as he ever has and he just needs a clear run to be right in it.” Stuart suggested.
“Miss Splendamiro and Benali have top grade form and look the dangers. I just hope Campini gets the chance to show what he is made of.” Stuart said.
In the fourth Perth Cup heat Eighty Eight will come from box three for Stuart up against West On Augie.
“Eighty Eight looks a place chance at best with the likes of West On Augie and Dyna Dean in the race.” Stuart said.
In the fifth of the Perth Cup heats Stuart rates Slingshot Gypsy as one of his better chances on the night.
“Slingshot is not my fastest dog but she consistently runs good early splits and she has drawn to be able to get over and give some cheek.” Stuart said.
In the Galaxy Stuart has Victorian stayer So It Goes in the first heat up against champion Tornado Tears.
“Tornado Tears is a champion and we are running for second but there is a good chance So It Goes can fill that spot.” Stuart said.
“He has settled in really well at my place and I expect him to run a nice race.” he added.
Rockstar Patriot is the last of Stuart’s runners in the second Galaxy Heat.
“Moment To Jive looks hard to beat and has drawn to be setting the tempo.” Stuart said.
“Rockstar Patriot is capable at his best but tends to find trouble. He is in with strong place claims.” Stuart concluded.
DAVID SHORTTE