Hooksy's 29.47 was the fastest time of the six Rapidvite Peter Mosman Classic heat winners but handler Jimmy Auld believes the Victorian superstar can go even quicker in Saturday night’s semi-finals.
Not only did Hooksy (trained by Tanya Auld) set the time standard for the 520m at Wentworth Park on Saturday, but his second and third splits of 13.61 and 17.66 were also best of the six qualifying races.
And the first section of 5.34, posted by Unbelief who led Hooksy approaching the first turn, was also quickest of the heats.
Hooksy (pictured with the Aulds) is now unbeaten in four Wentworth Park starts with Jimmy believing the dog is better suited to the Sydney starting boxes than those in his home state.
“In Melbourne Hooksy tends to stand up straight in the boxes and can miss the kick but here he crouches down low and so far has nailed the start every time,’’ Jimmy said on Saturday night.
“I was a bit concerned going into tonight’s race because the dog got hurt at Sandown on May 8 and it took me 10 days to get him right.
“I expected him to be a fraction under-done so I figure he has got to find a bit in his semi-final.
“Hooksy’s strong point has always been his mid-race dash and he really put a gap in them going down the back straight tonight.’’
Second fastest heat winner was Jason Mackay’s Zipping Delta who led throughout to beat Victoria’s All Strung Out by a length in 29.49.
“Until tonight I had always preferred Zipping Delta drawn wide but she handled box one to perfection so is obviously learning to cope with the inside,’’ Jason said after the race.
All Strung Out’s great second placing was a consolation for trainer Glenn Rounds who had to pull the dog’s litter brother, Anything Less, out of the Peter Mosman
Classic series due to a badly cut foot.
Anything Less won the Magic Maiden final at Wentworth Park in April where All Strung Out was a reserve but failed to get a run after being a desperately unlucky third in his semi-final.
“I was rapt in All Strung Out’s performance tonight because the two dog (Asia’s Babe) veered out and collided with my dog when the boxes opened,’’ Glenn said.
“To get within a length of Jason’s greyhound, which is very strong, was a terrific performance.’’
Cawbourne Whip was third fastest qualifier with a 29.50 performance and she is trained by Jodie Lord, who, ironically, trained Uno Witch, the dam of Hooksy, on behalf of Auld.
The only greyhound not to break 30 seconds in the heats was My Awesome Opal who led throughout in 30.06, but owner Ross Burton was not too concerned considering he had a huge win on the white and blue dog.
“On Saturday morning there was an advertisement on TV offering anyone opening a Sportsbet account a free $250 bet,’’ Ross explained.
“So I opened an account and put my free $250 wager on My Awesome Opal at fixed odds of $41!
“I was confident My Awesome Opal would make the pace from box eight but wasn’t sure if he could hang on and win.’’
Ross bought My Awesome Opal for $10,000 in March so Saturday’s $5,450 first prizemoney along with his $10,250 punting win makes the dog a bargain purchase.
Victorian star Keybow lost no admirers with his fast finishing second in Push It’s 29.81 winning heat.
Keybow began well but was severely hampered early and was in fourth spot down the back straight.
After the race, the Victorian-trained dog’s NSW owner Kel Lean said: “I would like to see him in box eight in the semi-final, I think that would suit him.
“Getting Keybow into the semis is great because I had some really bad luck last week.
“We were transporting three greyhounds, including Keybow’s unraced litter brother, in a trailer when the axle snapped and the dogs were all killed.’’
Sid Swain, father of Push It’s trainer DEAN Swain, commented on that bitch’s incredible improvement.
“When she first started racing I told DEAN she was probably only going to be a 400 metre bitch,’’ Syd admitted.
“And she used to be desperate for an inside box but now she has learned that when she draws wide, she needs to run straight until she is clear enough to cross to the rails.’’
Tommy Brislane led throughout in the other heat for Nowra trainer Steve White and Melbourne media proprietor Geoff Slattery to win in 29.71.
See you next week!
