A tonsillectomy has helped put Evil Punk on track for the National Sprint Championship final in Perth on August 23.
The Golden Easter Egg finalist has run some great races in his career but not many to compare with his remarkable last-to-first performance at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
After being a distinct last at the winning post with a lap to go, Evil Punk railed underneath four of his rivals to be fourth on the back straight and second turning for home.
He rattled home to win by three lengths, an astonishing margin given he was a dozen lengths off the lead at the first corner.
“When the boxes opened Frankie Hurst’s dog Zambora Magic, who had box two, veered right and cannoned into my dog, who had drawn three," Evil Punk's trainer Jimmy Coyle said post-race.
“I was horrified when I saw Evil Punk tailed off but his luck changed going through the pen when he got a dream rails run.
“The dog had his tonsils taken out in late June and is going better than ever now.
“My only concern with him at Wentworth Park is that I have to push him into the boxes there, while at other tracks he just walks in calmly.’’
Noelene Holloway has been to Perth for a holiday but never with a greyhound.
That could change in late August with Queen Esther a strong chance of representing NSW in the National Sprint.
Queen Esther headed Miss Sueko at the first turn before narrowly holding out the Jason MACKAY-trained Zipping Summah to win Saturday night’s $7000 to the winner Rapidvite Sprint Series final in 30.00.
Queen Esther and Zipping Summah have been nominated for the National Sprint Championship but Zipping Willow, the star of trainer Jason MACKAY’s team, is a surprise absentee.
“Zipping Willow is a bad traveller and I wouldn’t consider taking her all the way to Perth,’’ MACKAY said. "She’ll be tackling the Black Top at The Gardens and the Dapto Megastar instead.’’
The great Double Twist, who registered her 26th win in 46 starts at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, is also bypassing the National Sprint and will take on Zipping Willow in the Black Top and the Megastar.
Frank Sanotti, who, at 86, must be among Australia’s senior trainers, landed an impressive Wentworth Park winner with lid-pinger Zulu Mystique, who led throughout in Saturday night’s Macro Meats Gourmet Game Stakes.
Zulu Mystique recorded a sizzling first split of 5.37 and broke the field up completely before going to the line solidly to win by six lengths.
“I had something on her because I thought she was a $4 or $5 chance and they bet $8.50,’’ Sanotti said after the race.
“I train Zulu Mystique for Greg Andison, a Liverpool real estate agent, who has owned racehorses and greyhounds previously but none that I have trained.’’
See you next week!
