Sydney's most underrated stayer Joane earned a tilt at the heats of the Group 2 Summer Distance Plate on January 10 with a personal best 42.29 performance at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Joane, who has made breathtaking improvement since joining Christine Proctor’s Londonderry kennels, led throughout to win by a lengh from Queensland’s Stargate System, who will also return to Sydney for the Plate.
Stargate System lost the race at box rise when he came out four lengths behind the second last dog but all honours were with the winner, who has gone from being a slow starter to a reliable beginner.
“When owner Dave Gilders first sent Joane to us she was pretty ordinary and was an awful box dog, slower than our Peter Mosman Classic winner Bessy Boo," Christine Proctor said on Saturday night.
“She had trialled fast over 500 metres early in her career but while I was not too confident about her winning many races Alan and I took her on because Dave Gilders is a great fellow, a real old fashioned bush breeder."
Meanwhile, trainer Minnie Finn had a night of mixed fortunes on Saturday, holding her breath as Winsome Mission took a heavy tumble in race two but then watching that dog’s litter brother Winsome Jacko produce a sensational effort to win a Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder Prelude.
Winsome Mission, who had won five of seven starts, appeared to be clipped from behind by a wide runner at the first turn while Winsome Jacko came from fifth in the middle stages to win by a half head.
"Winsome Mission is okay, he was fine after the race," a relieved Finn said later.
Jumble, who won Winsome Mission’s race, will now head to Gosford for Friday night’s heats of the Woy Woy Poultry Gosford Gold Cup.
Winsome Jacko, who had box one, almost blew his chances by spearing off the track at the first turn and there’s no doubt he will be a far better proposition at Wentworth Park when drawn wide.
His win in the Prelude guarantees him a spot in the Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder heats on January 7. The other Prelude winner was Coolabah Jet, who set the fastest time of the night, running down Fort Allen in 29.85.
Former Tasmanian Varcoe made an impressive Wentworth Park debut for new trainer Mark Gatt, winning race three by six lengths in a slick 29.90.
Pacemaker Abunda posted a first split of 5.41 but Varcoe railed to the lead leaving the back straight and drew away.
After the race Mark Gatt’s brother Daniel said: “We have had Varcoe in our kennels for two months and had given him a couple of trials at Wentworth Park.
"When we first got him he was running 5.39 to the first mark but I think our way of training is a bit different to what he was getting in Tasmania.
"So he seems to have lost a fraction of his early speed but has got stronger at the finish."
Santorini Blue and Miss Dover gave Justin King a winning double on Saturday night, and while Miss Dover was a hot favourite Santorini Blue sprung a minor surprise in his alltheway win.
Santorini Blue clocked splits of 5.39 and 13.87.
"When the dog finished third and fifth at his previous two Wentworth Park starts another frontrunner has gone with him in the early stages and vied for the lead," King said.
"But tonight Santorini Blue jumped in front and was able to make the pace on his own and that made all the difference."
Saturday night’s biggest win was by Whittaker, who overcame two checks to run down Topper Road and Joe Hanley to score his ninth win in 14 starts in race six.
And on Friday a potential future star was unearthed when the heavily backed Wentworth Park newcomer Rivergum Drive led throughout in a sizzling 29.72 after recording a second split of 13.71.
Rivergum Drive looks the perfect greyhound for the heats of the National Derby at Wentworth Park on January 24.
Before the race there were reports the dog had handslipped around Wenty in a flying 24.18, which no doubt accounted for the confident support Rivergum Drive received in the betting ring.
Trained by Wayne Attwill of Abernethy in the Hunter Valley, Rivergum Drive is certain to enhance his already impressive record of five wins from 10 starts.
See you next week!
