With Brian McKivat set to take a long, possibly permanent break from the sport due to an extended overseas holiday, Irish-owned Clonakilty Man gave new trainer Ruth Matic an exciting “first up’’ victory at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Clonakilty Man, a risky beginner, began on terms with the leading division but quickly exploded away from the field to win the Find Us On Facebook Stakes by 11 lengths in 29.66, the fastest time of the night.
Those figures were .18 better than Clonakilty Man’s previous best time at the Glebe track and took his record at the track to three wins and six placings from 11 starts.
Brian McKivat trained 2005 Ladies Bracelet winner Twisted Angel but has always insisted Clonakilty Man was the fastest he had prepared.
When he arranged for what could be a permanent tour of Europe he said he would be transferring Clonakilty Man to Ruth Matic’s Canyonleigh kennels.
After Saturday’s race Ruth Matic said Clonakilty Man had been in her care for six weeks but his return to the track had been delayed because he had stitches in a foot when he arrived at her kennels.
“Brian has given me sound advice on the dog’s likes and dislikes and in three trials for me he has really excelled,’’ Matic said.
“At his final hit-out before tonight’s Wentworth Park meeting I slipped him post-to-post at Nowra and although he had never seen that track he went sensationally.
“He clocked faster time than the best figures ever posted by my former top notch sprinter Mountain Of Love, who held the record there.’’
Is there a more improved greyhound than Raincheck, who zoomed into top grade status at Wentworth Park with his fifth win at the track in Saturday night’s Rapidvite Stakes?
Trained by Peter Lagogiane for Vince Murray, Raincheck came from third in the middle stages and overcame a check when second on the home bend to run down tearway leader Senorita Selena for a half head victory.
“This dog just keeps getting better," Murray said.
"Wentworth Park is his favourite track which is not a bad place to like, is it?"
“Raincheck would not have blown a candle out after the race and I may step him up to 600 metres now,’’ Peter Lagogiane added.
Jason Fletcher trained an unusual winning double at Wentworth Park on Saturday night as his winners, Shanlyn Patch and Painted Dotty, are only in his kennels “on loan.’’
Shanlyn Patch, until recently trained in Melbourne by Jason Thompson, scored his second Wentworth Park win in three starts for Jason Fletcher with a personal best 29.97 performance.
Tasmanian-owned Painted Dotty gave an impressive display of stamina to win over 720m in a slick 42.43.
“Shanlyn Patch is owned by Victoria’s Lyn and Shannon Larson who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup with Shanlyn Prince,’’ Fletcher said.
“Their trainer Jason Thompson suggested a sojourn in Sydney would benefit the dog so they sent him up to me with the proviso that after the dog won three races he returns to Melbourne.
“Painted Dotty is owned and trained in Tasmania by Mick Stringer who believes she is good enough to represent her state in the National Distance Championship final at Cannington on August 23.
“But because Mick was unable to keep her in trim due to lack of long distance races being available in Tasmania he sent her up to me to help maintain her condition.
“Like Shanlyn Patch, she will be heading home to her owner shortly.’’
See you next week!
