Thursday, February 21, 2019
Tara Raceway’s Summer Classic, for dogs and bitches whelped on or after January 1, 2017, has a history of producing winners that have gone on to bigger and better things.
Sunday’s classic final will bring together a top line-up of youngsters with the eventual winner quite likely to go on to uphold the tradition of the event, previously won by Cryer’s Ricky, Menzel Boys, Hutch and Galactic Panther.
Attracting plenty of interest will be the Worrolong trained Galactic Athena, unbeaten at her only two starts for trainer Steve Bartholomew and Moorak owner Robert Chuck, and outstanding when winning her 512 metre heat last week in 29.61 seconds.
By Paddy Whacker x Galactic Rumball, the 18-month-old Galactic Athena has drawn well in the two and despite giving away plenty in age, and to a lesser extent experience, the brindle bitch still looks the one to beat in what should be a terrific final.
Earlier in the day, the appearance of Cranbourne South greyhound Pure White Evil will add to the Fairthorne Forestry Open Stake (512 m) which also includes proven local performers Paraphernalia, Azumi Ryder and Cryer’s Plugger.
Trained by Andrew Paraskevas, Pure White Evil has raced on 30 occasions for 16 wins and 10 minor placings for stakemoney of $53,000.
By Barcia Bale x Father Of Mine, the black dog is from a highly successful litter that also includes My American Girl (18 wins, $71,000 stakemoney), Hungry An’ Hollo (15, $45,000), Charmed An Taken (6, $39,000) and Eye Got It (18, $39,000).
Another littermate, Nervous An Weird, will be looking to add to his record of 16 wins and $68,000 in stakemoney when he lines up from box three in Saturday night’s $40,000 to the winner Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup (427 m).
Meanwhile, David Peckham, Wade Green and Kevin Ward shared training honours at Tara Raceway’s Wednesday time-graded meeting when all landed a double on the 12-race card.