Chica Destacada and Doreen Drynan did NSW proud last night, taking out the Group 1 National Sprint Championship at Cannington - the first Group 1 victory for both greyhound and trainer.
Having her first start in a Group 1, Chica Destacada ($4.20, pictured receiving a drink from Drynan after last night's win) exploded from the boxes and held off a strong challenge from Victorian representative Crackerjack Dak throughout the middle stages before running away for a 1/4 length victory in 30.27.
West Australian greyhounds filled the minor placings, with Star Recall flashing home for second and Zelemar Fever finishing third. Crackerjack Dak faded late, but held onto fourth position.
Chica Destacada's win was the first by a NSW greyhound in the National Sprint Championship since Smooth Fancy in 2010, and ended Victoria's two year streak of sprint victories.
But perhaps more significantly, it was the first Group 1 for Drynan, who has been training for more than four decades. It was also her first win in the National Sprint Championship after four attempts, having first had a starter in the time honoured race in 1973 with Winged Gemini.
In the National Distance Championship, Victoria dominated the race as expected, with Sweet It Is ($1.80) displaying her trademark finish to overtake her fellow Victorian Xylia Allen and win in 41.39 - 0.09 outside of Miata's 41.30 track record for the 715m.
Queenslander Wag Tail filled the placings, while Tasmania's Painted Dotty led early but faded to finish seventh.
Trained by Darren McDonald, Sweet It Is has now won three Group 1s in 2014, with last night's win no doubt stamping her as the best stayer in Australia at the moment.
She is the first Victorian to win the National Distance Championship since Jarvis Bale in 2009.
