A minor injury robbed More In Store of a tilt at last month's National Distance Championship but the Mark Gatt-trained stayer is on target for a $25,000 consolation prize in this Saturday night's final of the Group 3 Chairman's Cup at Wentworth Park.
More In Store set the time standard in Saturday's heats, stopping the clock at 42.03 after giving last year's Cup winner Zipping Maggie a start and a three length beating.
The other heat was won by Victorian visitor Mepunga Tiara, who was nominated for the Cup as an "after thought'' by trainer Jeff Britton.
Mepunga Tiara, despite having never raced or trialled at WP, led throughout in 42.24.
After her race, Victorian trainer Clinton Capuano, whose greyhound Gangnam Style qualified for the final by finishing fourth to More In Store, said Mepunga Tiara had been a late entry for the series.
"Jeff Britton is a friend of mine," Capuano said. "When I decided to bring my dog to Sydney I offered to take one of his stayers with me on his behalf.
"At first Jeff said he had 'nothing' worthwhile at present, but then, as an after thought, said he might as well 'throw in' old Mepunga Tiara.''
Mepunga Tiara, who turns four in December, scored her 17th win in 76 starts with her impressive heat win.
But she has drawn awkwardly in box five in the final, as has More In Store, a keen railer who has come up with box four.
More In Store was ranked among the top NSW contenders for last month's National Distance Championship but an injury forced her out of the heats on August 8.
But last Saturday she proved she was back to her best, trailing Zipping Maggie on the back straight before grabbing the lead on the home turn.
Trainer Mark Gatt had a busy day, watching his dog Ritza Rossi win the Bankstown City Cup at Yagoona's Potts Park at 3pm before rushing home to Thirlmere to collect More In Store for the trip to Wentworth Park.
Best boxed Chairman's Cup finalist is Zipping Maggie, who drew box one for owner-trainer Marty Hallinan.
"She is perfectly positioned because she has to lead to win,'' Hallinan said after the draw was conducted.
"More In Store is the one to beat again but Zipping Maggie might get to the line a bit better in the final.
"All she had before her heat was a 550 metre slip at Wenty and while I expected that to be sufficient she could have been found wanting at the finish of Saturday's 720 metre race, especially when More In Store sat right behind her.''
Smooth Number has made yet another big race final and his hobby trainer Allen Hansen was pleased with his box two draw.
"He had to be near the fence to have any hope in the final and while I was hoping for box one, I'll take the two quite happily,'' Hansen said.
Gangnam Style had won his only two long-distance races before finishing fourth in More In Store's heat and trainer Clinton Capuano believes he can improve in the final.
"I left Melbourne at 5.30am Saturday and drove directly to Wentworth Park with him so while Mepunga Tiara was able to win after a similar experience, Gangnam Style can probably be a better dog next week.''
Group 3 Chairman's Cup box draw: 1 Zipping Maggie 2 Smooth Number 3 Entreaty 4 More In Store 5 Mepunga Tiara 6 Mullaway 7 Mizzou Tiger 8 Gangnam Style. Reserves: Ada Mary and Lithgow Panther.
Nowra trainer Steve White, who will relocate to Warragul, Victoria, early next month, took out Saturday night's ladbrokes.com.au Stakes with Paua To Roar, one of five greyhounds he plans to take south.
Paua To Roar, who missed a start in Thursday night's Dapto Megastar Prelude, led throughout to score his 21st win in 43 starts, posting 30.08sec for the 520m after recording sizzling first and second splits of 5.35 and 13.74.
"I'll be taking Paua To Roar, Tommy Brislane, Foxy Nakita, Paua Explosion and Rare Pearl to Victoria with me,'' White said on Saturday night.
"I have bought the property formerly owned by Lenny Poore, so as there have been plenty of group race winners trained there I hope the luck sticks.''
Go Ginger Go joined greyhound racing's "super mum'' ranks with an all-the-way win in Saturday night's The Wild Dogarace Woof Stakes, her first success after six placings at the track.
"Eight months ago Go Ginger Go whelped a litter of pups to Spring Gun," trainer Michael Clayton said. "Her owners Gary Acquilina and his father-in-law Trevor Dixon asked me if I would like to give her another shot at the racetrack.
"I was hesitant at first but Gary and Trevor have been such good supporters of my kennel that I couldn't say no."
See you next week!
