Larry Procopio and his wife Leanne must have watched with mixed feelings as their promising stayer Driving Force and maiden sprinter Passenger landed a winning double at Wentworth Park last Monday night.
They bred the pair from their former brilliant beginner Brisk Miss, who, while purely a sprinter, has obviously imparted plenty of strength to her offspring.
Sadly Driving Force and Passenger are members of the only litter Brisk Miss produced, as she died of snake bite before a second mating could be arranged.
“We had a lot of offers for Brisk Miss when she was racing but we always wanted to keep her as a brood bitch, particularly as she was the only female in her litter,’’
Leanne Procopio , whose father was the legendary trainer Jack Snodgrass, said at Wentworth Park.
“But after Brisk Miss whelped her first litter to Premier Fantasy in April, 2012, she was killed by a snake.’’
Last Monday night’s AAA Radiator Specialists Stakes looked an ordinary 720m event on paper but may have unearthed a promising stayer with Driving Force winning by 16 lengths in the handy time of 42.76.
The 26-month-old youngster had not been tried beyond 618m before Friday’s race but after taking the lead from Cheeky Wanda with a lap to go Driving Force careered away and went to the line powerfully.
“He has always raced like a long distance greyhound,’’ Larry Procopio said.
“Driving Force is a one pace type of dog and they are usually natural stayers.’’
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When You’re Up Les exits box one in this afternoon’s eighth race at Nowra he will be on trial for another tilt at an elusive first Wentworth Park win.
You’re Up Les has been placed in five of his 14 WP starts but since his last start there has struck a rich vein of form, with recent wins over 515m at Bulli in a sizzling
28.84 before a 29.63 performance in gale force conditions last Wednesday night.
“He loves Bulli and last Wednesday we were almost blown off our feet when we were leading the dogs to the boxes so it’s not surprising times on the night were slow,’’ trainer Jason Matthews said.
“After Nowra I’ll consider taking You’re Up Les back to Wenty in a week or two.’’
Jason, a former player with the Wollongong United soccer team, prepared the former crack short course speedster Swift Callah.
Swift Callah won an astonishing 23 of 39 starts between February, 2011, and March last year.
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Even trainer John Aul was surprised at how strongly Wentworth Park rookie Zero For Dino went to the line in his all-the-way 520m win last Monday night.
John’s previous Wentworth Park winner had been John Boy Rocks, in September, 2013, but Zero For Dino looks to have far greater potential.
The son of Hurricane Luke and John and wife Cheryl’s marvellous brood bitch Belle LUCILLE led throughout and posted a nippy second split of 14 seconds flat on his way to a runaway win in 30.32.
“He had one trial at Wenty before Monday’s win and clocked a first split of 5.40 but only ran 30.41 overall so it’s pleasing to see him improve,’’ John said.
“John Boy Rocks, our previous city winner, is now in the adoption scheme.
“Zero For Dino is from Belle LUCILLE’s fourth and final litter.
“Her first litter included Sans Souci and Loose Wheel, who won plenty of races for us, while Marien and Robert Sullivan’s Kool Icon and Phantom’s Icon, who won 10 races between them at Wentworth Park, were in Belle LUCILLE’s second litter.
“Only her third litter were disappointing but Belle LUCILLE is 12 years old now so is a retired pet at home.
“Zero For Dino should keep improving and I expect him to get stronger but he badly needs an inside box so the rails draw on Monday was ideal.’’
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Mellissa's Boy indicated he has the strength to win when he comes to town after motoring home in an outstanding 11.84 to win a 520m trial at Wentworth Park last Monday night.
Trained by Michelle Shambler for Len Morgan and the winner of three from eight provincial starts, Melissa’s Boy posted a tidy 30.12 for the 520m and defeated Wentworth Park 720m winner Miss Fiction and Heroic Avenger by two lengths.
