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John Heard, a South Sydney Rabbitohs centre three-quarter star of the mid-1960s, was in the spotlight as a trainer on Saturday night when his greyhound Gunnadoo Cove took out the Group 3 Wentworth Park Gold Cup.
Heard, 76, who once mixed professional sprinting with a rugby league career, will now prepare Gunnadoo Cove for the Group 1 Association Cup series at Wentworth Park on April 8 and 15.
On Saturday Gunnadoo Cove, who had shown improved box manners before finishing third to Starzsa Light in her heat of the WP Gold Cup on March 18, began cleanly again to be trailing kennelmates Miss Foxy Lee and Starzsa Light in the early and middle stages.
Favourite Starzsa Light was being hailed the winner as she gained on Miss Foxy Lee but twice appeared to be baulked as she attempted to overtake the pacemaker.
Gunnadoo Cove, biding her time in third position, was ready to pounce and she overpowered the two leaders to win by nearly three lengths.
Ebby Ripper came from midfield to snatch second prizemoney a half length ahead of Starzsa Light.
Gunnadoo Cove covered the 720m in 42.09, which compared well with the race record of 41.74 set by Dyna Willow in 2014.
"Before the box draw for the Cup final I wasn't sure whether Gunnadoo Cove wanted box one or box eight, but I certainly know now,'' Heard said after his greyhound handled the rails draw perfectly.
"Next Saturday I may take Gunnadoo Cove to The Meadows in Melbourne for a long-distance race as she will need another hit-out before the Association Cup heats on April 8.''
Zipping Inglis earned a tilt at the Group 3 New Sensation heats at Wentworth Park on April 5 with his tenacious first-up Wenty win on Saturday night.
Zipping Inglis railed underneath pacemaker Jenna Bale to score an easy win in 30.16 in a 520m fifth grade.
"He had a bit of trouble getting inside Jenna Bale and that took a little off his time,'' Daniel Flanagan said.
"Zipping Inglis has now won for me at Maitland, The Gardens and Wenty but he is definitely better on tighter tracks like Wentworth Park and The Gardens than on bigger circuits such as Maitland.''
Tiger Tokaam, purchased for just $5000 after finishing third in a country maiden race in December, scored his sixth win in 12 starts for owner-trainer Ron Bell.
Tiger Tokaam railed inside the wide running pacemaker Son Of Katie on the home bend to win by a length in 30.20.
Royal Turbo and Winsome Mission justified their entries for Saturday night's heats of the group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg with impressive wins on Saturday.
The Glen McKinley-trained Royal Turbo led throughout to win the 520m Free For All in 29.88 while Winsome Mission, trained by John Finn, overcame a slow start to take out a 520m fourth and fifth grade in 29.76.
"Nailing the start and being able to get on the bunny made all the difference to Royal Turbo tonight,'' McKinley said.
"Winsome Mission turns four next month so is eligible for masters races but is going better than ever," trainer John Finn said.
"He had a year racing in WA but has thrived since coming home and his run home time tonight of 11.65 was excellent.''
See you next week!
