Shy Gambler will now be prepared for next month's Group 2 Dapto Puppy Auction Classic after her terrific victory in Monday night's Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Spring Puppy Classic (520m).
The exciting daughter of Collision and Dusty Retreat Claimed the $25,000 top prize with a sparkling run in the decider.
Shy Gambler was a $5.40 third favourite for the race and held off the heavily favoured JODIE Lord-trained Got A Motor ($3.50) by one-and-a-half lengths to salute.
Trainer Jason Magri, who Claimed this year's Group 3 Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park with Wicked Warrior, said he was delighted with his greyhound's efforts.
“I wasn’t too confident (before the final), but I thought her box draw wasn’t too bad," Magri said. "Got A Motor in box five can dwell and Tough Love (box three) hasn’t been starting great, so I thought that would help.
"She’s improving all the time and putting it together. I’ll take her to Wentworth Park and then have a crack at the Puppy Auction Classic.
“She put in a great effort (and) I’m delighted with her.”
Mornington Star (13.90), trained by Falls Creek mentor Phil Goodsell, took third place on his local track, with the Christine Oldfield-trained favourite Lucky Gambler (box seven) finishing seventh.
The win took Shy Gambler's record to two wins and two minor placings from her four starts so far.
Shy Gambler had looked a good bet for the three-week series after winning her heat in impressive style, but had been forced to dig deep in her semi-final to qualify for the decider.
“She had a little injury problem in the week before the semi-finals which hampered her preparation,” Magri said. “Really, it was only having box one that helped get through the semi-finals.
“Fortunately it was a relatively minor thing and we could prepare her well for the final.”
This was another notable victory for Magri, who has established himself as one of NSW’s trainers to watch in recent years mentoring the likes of exciting talents Clock's Ticking and Bad Boy Sniper.
“There’s a big sense of achievement with results like this,” Magri said. “You put a lot of care into your greyhounds, so it’s very satisfying.
“I moved to a property at Kemps Creek not so long ago which meant a lot of work, but when you get a win like this is pumps you up.
“These wins Really help you get out of bed in the morning.”
The three-week Group 2 Dapto Puppy Auction series, which has $75,000 to the winner and is one of the biggest races of the year in NSW, kicks off on Thursday, November 17.
