When Milky Jones lines up for Saturday night's final of the Christmas Gift he will be the third successive Wentworth Park group race finalist for trainer Chris Carl.
Carl has had a stellar year with Rostered On qualifying for last month's Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic and Fire And Smoke reaching last Saturday night's final of the Group 3 Summer Cup.
Milky Jones, who was drawn as a reserve for a Christmas Gift heat but secured a start from box three, came from last to win running away.
“Rostered On finished fifth and Fire And Smoke ran sixth so while it has been terrific getting dogs into big races, I am not earning any prizemoney, just collecting polo shirts,” Carl quipped, referring to the souvenir shirts presented to group final trainers.
“But Milky Jones is my best chance because while he is slow early, he is perfectly drawn in box eight. I only hope none of the leaders fan out in front of him when he is making his move because Riley Tokaam, who has box seven, also looks suitably drawn and he has a big motor.”
XXXX
Friday’s Newcastle Cup over 715m at LADBROKES GARDENS promises to be a thriller, with track record holder Ebby Ripper set to clash with Mr. Shire and the all conquering Lochinvar Hugo.
Ebby Ripper finished fourth to Melissa's Pride in last year's cup at her first big race appearance before establishing the current 715m track record of 41.70 in January.
Mr. Shire, who has won has past four 600m races at LADBROKES GARDENS, will be suited by the 715m after not being forward enough in condition for the Summer Cup heats earlier this month.
Lochinvar Hugo recorded his 15th consecutive win at Bulli on Saturday night and is set to make his keenly anticipated long distance debut in the Newcastle Cup.
XXXX
Poppa Ogg, unbeaten in six starts this preparation, is ready for return appearance at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
But the Barbara Spackman-trained flyer's main mission is the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gold Cup at Gosford.
Heats of the 515m Cup will be held on Boxing Night with the $40,000 to the winner final on January 2.
No wonder Poppa Ogg is being groomed for the Gosford Cup as the greyhound's past three wins have been over the central coast Cup course of 515m.
Poppa Ogg's three wins have each been in sensational times of 29.54, 29.55 and 29.50.
Poppa Ogg is certainly bred to be a star as his dam Little Mother, who was owned by Spackman and Gordon Scriberras, won a mind-boggling 85 of her 132 races for NEW ZEALAND trainer Lisa Ahern.
Little Mother earned $378,000 prizemoney, broke three track records, and was successful in five Group 1 races as well as being first past the post in three Group 2 finals.
XXXX
Tina's Magic joined greyhound racing's roster of bargain buys when she took out Saturday night's Ladbrokes Monthly Medal at Wentworth Park.
Her 77-year-old western districts trainer Les Whitton bought her early in her career when long-time client Brendan McHattan, of Nyngan, asked him to purchase a greyhound on his behalf.
Tina's Magic cost McHattan just $3000 and took her earnings to over $24,000 with Saturday's win, her third at Wentworth Park.
