Following a double last Sunday at Tara Raceway with Sher Zany and Aston Marvel, Dennington trainer Dustin Drew is set to launch an all-out attack on the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s forthcoming Cadillac Racing Mount Gambier Cup.
First run in 1981 when won by Tara Topar, a maximum eight heats of the 512 metre Group 3 event will be run on Sunday, April 7. Highlighting the April 14 meeting will be the running of the $36,000 final.
By Konomi out of Sherbini, Sher Zany took his number of wins to 13 and prize money to $90,000 when leading all the way and defeating Redshift Uniform by a length in 34.84 seconds in the Carlin & Gazzard Mixed Stake (600 m).
And while the majority of his wins have been over distances ranging from 600 metres to 730 metres, Drew said he expected the black dog to be among his team who will be taking on the cup.
“He has won over shorter distances and now that he’s had a look at the track under race conditions I don’t think the 512 metre distance will cause him too many problems.”
Yadillah Lad, chasing his third successive win for Portland trainer Robert Halliday, gave plenty of cheek in the Cadillac Racing Mixed Stake (512 m).
But it was Aston Marvel who took the lead turning for home before running away to a 4¼ length win over Lektra Tinsel in a personal best time of 29.49 seconds.
“He races well at the track and I was more than happy with his effort in what was a pretty handy field,” Drew said. “I was also happy with Ruby Rhode’s second behind In The Bug in the Tara Tipsters Cup (512 m).
“Considering she was having her first run at the track I thought she handled herself pretty well when running a three-quarter length second in a handy 29.81 seconds.”
Drew was at Sandown Park last Sunday when Aminah, a daughter of Barcia Bale and Bakali, ran a strong 1½ length second to Canya Hypersonic over 515 metres in 29.72 seconds.
“She ran a top race at Tara Raceway late last month when beating Lakeview Heather over 512 metres in 29.78 seconds. To be honest, I believe Aminah is one of our best chances in the Mount Gambier Cup.”
Drew also said he had been very happy with the run of Aston Reims, trained by his sister Aimee. The son of Fernando Bale and Aston Chandon led all the way in the Swallow Drive Meats Mixed Stake (512 m) for a five length win over Lektra Remi in 29.95 seconds.
“As far as the cup is concerned I’m tipping Aimee will be playing it by ear at the moment. But this dog most certainly has a real motor.”
Drew said he was likely to have six or more runners nominated for the cup.
“But as far as the Mount Gambier Cup is concerned, the local dogs are always hard to beat given that they know Tara Raceway so well.”
Meanwhile, at Murray Bridge on Sunday night, Adhana Rico, trained at Lewiston by Cameron Forshaw, took his prize money earnings to $206,000 when defeating Chapel Road by a length in 25.22 seconds in the Group 3 Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup (455 m).
Finishing in third spot was Mount Gambier greyhound Wild Banker, trained at Compton by Tracie Price.
Also the winner of last November’s Group 3 Gawler Cup (531 m), Adhana Rico, a son of Fernando Bale and Bella Rico, is now likely to take on next month’s Mount Gambier Cup.
And following the brindle dog’s Murray Bridge Cup success, connections are now in line for the bonuses which go with winning both the Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier Cups.
Greyhound Racing SA will link bonuses to both events which will include $5000 if the same greyhound can win both the Murray Bridge Cup and the Mount Gambier Cup.
There will also be a $5000 bonus if the same trainer can win both cups (SA or interstate or different greyhounds).