Leading trainer Peter Lagogiane is set to play a significant role at his local track on Friday night when the semi-finals of the 2019 Ladbrokes Richmond Riches are held.
Lagogiane, who has last year’s GRNSW + Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot, and recent Golden Easter Egg runner-up Federal Lilly in his Llandilo kennels, has two of the leading candidates – one in each semi – of the event which will culminate with a $40,000 to the winner final on May 24.
Lagogiane has heat winner Demolition Duke (pictured) in the opening semi-final, and will then box Knighthood - a runner-up to series’ favourite Feral Franky in his heat last Friday – in the second semi.
“We were very pleased with the run,” he said of Demolition Duke’s 31.20s win off the red last Friday. “That was his first 500m assignment and Richmond is probably one of the hardest 500ms in Australia.
“He did compound in the last 50m but we’re hoping he will strip a little bit fitter this week and find the line stronger.”
Demolition Duke was having just his 10th start last Friday and recorded his seventh win. But it was his early speed which was impressive, clocking 5.16s for the first section … clearly the best split of the five heats. He has drawn box eight in the semis but had won three of four starts from that trap.
“He is a fast beginner, and a reliable beginner - I think he’s only missed the kick once for us (two runs back at Gosford). If he can come out like he did last week and cross the field, and find the front early, he’s going to run his sections. The only thing is who will be on his tail. As we move on to the semis the dogs are going to get a little bit better and a little bit quicker but I think his experience will show (this week).
“I think he can run around the 30.80s mark and I think that should be enough to win that race. But, anything can happen in greyhound racing as we know.”
Knighthood fractured a shoulder at six months of age after Lagogiane had bought him at the Richmond auction, and despite advice otherwise, he decided to persevere with the dog. Knighthood, who turns two years’ of age next week, was having his first race start last Friday in the heats, when second to Feral Franky in the best of the night, 30.58s.
Like his kennelmate Demolition Duke, Knighthood was fast early, clocking 5.23s for the first section, and while his own time of 30.61s would have won all four of the other heats, he was Chased, and run down by the in-form Feral Franky who a week earlier had finished second to Flynn in the Speed Star in Melbourne.
“We believe he’s got a good future. This dog’s got a motor. He’s such a nice dog. In the kennel block he’s just an amazing little pup.
“Feral Franky, got all the breaks last week, and had an uninterrupted run behind him, and got into second, and beat him, and Feral Franky - what a dog and Ray’s (Smith) done a wonderful job with him and set him up for this race. We’re just hoping to go one better on Friday and capitalize on his early pace and his mid-race acceleration and be in front, and maybe Feral Franky will get a little bit of interference - not hoping anything goes wrong with the dog, because he’s a real superstar too.
“Inexperience (of Knighthood) told last week and that’s going to be the case for the next couple of runs until he puts it all together. He’s still learning, he’s still very green on the racetrack - he’s an utter professional at home thus far – and we’re just hoping last week (when he ran up the track) was just something that he will get out of his little book and he’ll rail better (in the semis) and become a better race dog as time goes on.”
*Photo by Lachlan of Redden Photos.
