Black Bear Lee will target the upcoming Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg series after claiming the Group 2 Ladbrokes Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup (472m) last Friday night.
The Ruth Matic-trained son of Brett Lee and Paua To Love (pictured with handler Danielle Matic) overcame a moderate start from box three to run over the top of a competitive line-up and claim the featured race and the $40,000 winning prize.
It was Black Bear Lee’s third Group title in under a year after victories in the Group 3 Magic Maiden Final and Group 3 John Stollery Christmas Gift and extended his prize money earnings to a shade more than $150,000.
Matic said her greyhound will now pass this Friday’s Richmond Derby heats and instead be given a freshen up to prepare for next month’s Golden Easter Egg series at Wentworth Park, a track in which Black Bear Lee has already scored 10 victories.
“If he made the final at Richmond and then the final in the Egg then that would be seven races in seven weeks,” she said. “It’s just too much.
“The Victorians will be up for the Egg which will make it tough, but we are certainly hopeful he can make the final.”
In the Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup, Black Bear Lee trailed early leader Pedro Cerrano midway round but produced a scorching run home to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths, paying $4.50.
One Samuel ($12.20) was second, with Nangar Flash ($7.80) third.
“I don’t know how he did it,” Matic said with a laugh. “When I saw him leading I thought, ‘is that really him’.
“I didn’t expect that as he is more of a Wentworth Park greyhound than a one-turn one. It was also such a good field last week in the heats and then again here.
“I thought he would have to lead early to win against these greyhounds but he proved me wrong.”
The win extended the career record of Black Bear Lee, who was also a runner-up in the Group 1 Vic Peters in October last year, to 16 wins and 11 minor placings from 34 starts.
“When we picked him up from being broken in he went well and just continued to run amazing times for a pup with his experience,” Matic said.
“We thought he could be something special and that’s what he’s been.
“He’s such a placid greyhound and has the perfect temperament. When I went to get him out of the kennels tonight I had to call him twice. He’s just a super greyhound.”
Meanwhile, owner-trainer Gayle Masterson said Knight Sprite will be aimed for this Friday’s Group 2 Richmond Derby heats after winning the Bulli Gold Cup Consolation.
That win extended this year’s Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner’s career record to 22 wins and 16 minor placings from 48 starts.
Newcomer Tullabung Rock underlined his potential with victory in the Graham Gibbons Memorial Final (472m).
The Neil Staines-trained pup has won his first two starts.
