Knight Sprite will contest the heats of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park this Saturday, just over a week after winning the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Supplies Gosford Gold Cup (515m).
The son of Magic Sprite gave owner-trainer Gayle Masterson the biggest victory in her 30-year racing career by taking out the NSW Central Coast feature race with a thrilling neck victory over Eva Diva.
The 29.66 victory took Knight Sprite’s career record to 21 wins and 14 minor placings from 45 starts and also sealed a first Group title for Hunter Valley-based Masterson.
Speaking after the race, Masterson was thrilled with the victory.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet that he has won this and I can say I’m a Group winner. He’s the best ever greyhound I’ve had and it’s so exciting,” she said.
“My daughter works as an entertainer, so she is usually too busy come to the races. This was the first time she has been to the races.
“My grandson is his handler, while my son’s soccer team had a fan party for him tonight for him. Because he has been going so well, it’s just been so exciting for everyone to watch his progress."
Masterson confirmed the next assignments for Knight Sprite.
“Wherever I can race him, I will,” she said.
“He is going to the Paws Of Thunder. I’m also setting my sights on the (Group 2) Richmond Derby next month. I have only taken him to Richmond once over the 500 metres and he won by seven lengths.
With seven previous Wentworth Park triumphs, including a 29.72 run, Knight Sprite looks a leading chance for the Paws Of Thunder heats, the fields of which will be released on Tuesday.
In other action at Gosford last Friday, highly promising greyhound Zipping Silky scored a strong 29.79 win to take out the Narara Plumbing Maiden Final (515m).
The win made it two from three career starts from the Jason Mackay-trained greyhound.
