Packey Keeping has earned a tilt at next Saturday night's heats of the Group 3 Chairman's Cup with his boilover win in Saturday's Ruth Parsons Memorial (720m) at Wentworth Park.
Trained by Charmaine Roberts for her partner Shayne Stiff, Packey Keeping came from third at the first turn to hit the front approaching the home bend. He then drew away to score comfortably in a tidy 42.74 on a slow track.
The luckless Sherbini, who collided when unleashing what looked set to be a winning run leaving the back straight, chased him home, with pacemaker Starzsa Light fading to third.
Hot favourite Mr. Shire, who was checked near the first corner, was never in the picture and finished fifth.
The race had been considered a three way match between Mr. Shire, Sherbini and Starzsa Light but Packey Keeping, a $15 chance, upset most punters' calculations.
“We trialled Packey Keeping over 520m at Wentworth Park last Tuesday night and he clocked a smart 30.10,” Stiff said.
“His first split was a very slow 5.88 but he came home in 11.60 which is flying. Despite that.... I did not think he could beat such a Hot field.
“Packey Keeping made full use of box one tonight and got all the breaks during the race, getting a lovely slide from sixth at box rise to be third going around the first corner.
“Now he will contest the Chairman's Cup but his brother Simon Keeping, which Marty Hallinan trains for me, is also aiming for that series and he is six lengths faster than Packey Keeping.”
Veteran greyhound Evidence clocked the fastest 520m time of the night - 30.28 - with his upset win in Saturday's free-for-all.
But owner-trainer Lorraine Atchison is undecided whether Evidence, who turned four in April, will start in this Saturday's heats of the Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint.
“Evidence has been a wonderful old dog but he posted fast time over 720m at Wentworth Park early in his career and I am keen to get him back over that distance,” Atchison said.
Elzy Lay, trained at Young by Angela Della Bosca, will not be nominated for the Bob Payne Spring Sprint but instead will target Sunday week's heats of the Group 3 Canberra Cup.
Elzy Lay took his Wentworth Park tally to three wins from five starts by coming from third early and second at the half-way mark to win a 5th grade over 520m by six lengths on Saturday night.
“Elzy Lay won't go around a dog, he just waits for a run along the rails and then takes off so while he is not a fast beginner and does not have a lot of early speed, we think the Canberra race will suit him,” Della Bosca's partner Graeme Sheather said later.
Trainer Chris Carl was not surprised when Serena Serena broke through for her first Wentworth Park victory at start number seven on Saturday night.
Serena Serena led throughout from box four to land another 5th grade in 30.50, roaring away to win by five lengths.
“She has recorded 30.16 on two occasions in Wenty trials so she had to win one eventually,” Carl said.
See you next week!
