Fastest qualifier Spring Leaf is likely to start hot favourite for Saturday night’s Group 1 National Futurity final at Wentworth Park after drawing box one in the $75,000-to-the-winner feature event.
Spring Leaf (pictured, red rug, winning a Paws Of Thunder heat) is one of four runners from the Andrea Dailly kennel that will take their place in the National Futurity final, with Kerrigan Bale, Polly Bale and Dyna Nico also qualifying.
Backing up from her brilliant heat win the week prior, Spring Leaf began well and led all the way to win in 29.50.
Click here to watch the replay of Spring Leaf's win in the National Futurity semi final.
As is commonplace in this sport, Spring Leaf was produced by a brood bitch who cost a mere $1800 after failing to win in five starts.
Spring Leaf’s owner, ORANGE breeder Greg Board, bought Scarlett Cath from Dubbo breeder Shayne Stiff after the greyhound filled just one placing.
"Scarlett Cath was from the breed of Marty Hallinan, who has Zipping Midge in the Futurity, and while she was a maiden on the racetrack I liked her pedigree," Board said.
"I thought she would click well with my stud dog Spring Gun and she certainly has, with Spring Leaf now looking at picking up $75,000 first prizemoney in the Futurity final.
"Although Spring Leaf led all the way from box seven when she clocked 29.50 in her Futurity semi-final, I always prefer box one in big races.
"And while she has a great record from outside draws, she is unbeaten in two starts from the rails."
While her kennelmates will be tough to beat, Spring Leaf’s toughest opponent could be Weblec Belle, who chased her home in her semi-final, where the run home figures were a sensational 11.62.
Weblec Belle, trained by Jeff Britton, a neighbour of Andrea Dailly, had box one in that race but has drawn better in box eight for the final.
The box draw for the Group 1 National Futurity is: 1. Spring Leaf 2. Polly Bale 3. Dyna Nico 4. Kerrigan Bale 5. Ella Has Class 6. Zipping Midge 7. Jingjing 8. Weblec Belle 9. Zipping Abby 10. Eyes Adorable
Greyhound racing's National Futurity is open to the best female greyhounds whelped on or after July 1 2012.
