Londonderry trainer Frank Hurst went within an ace of taking out last Saturday's Crocmedia National Sprint Championship with Good Odds Harada so will be hoping to go one better with that dog's litter brother Good Odds Buddy in Friday night's Group 2 Black Top at LADBROKES GARDENS.
Good Odds Harada (pictured) looked all over a winner when he made all the pace at Cannington but was run down by local crackerjack Premium Share.
"I'm not disappointed because I wanted Good Odds Harada to be the leader and he was, it was just that a better dog on the night got behind him and beat him,'' Hurst said.
"Besides, we got $21,500 for running second and I had a great time in Perth.
"Good Odds Buddy had not raced at LADBROKES GARDENS before last Friday's Black Top heats but my wife Tracey took him there and trialled him beforehand so he had been around the track.
"He pulled up well after his 29.50s heat win and from box two should run well in Friday's final.''
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Whatta Lurker, who snapped a stopper bone in half early in his career, has bounced back remarkably to give trainer Carole Eaton her first track record holder.
Whatta Lurker scampered over the LADBROKES GARDENS 272m trip last Friday in 15.50, well inside the old record of 15.54.
A son of American sire Kiowa Producer, Whatta Lurker was purChased as a puppy for $3000 by Eaton's son Shaun.
"My other son Scott was at a breeder's buying a pup by Kiowa Producer from Flash Focus, and contacted his brother to tell him there was another nice youngster available from the same litter,'' Carole Eaton recalled.
"So Shaun bought the pup, which races as Whatta Lurker, and sold shares in the dog to his boss at North Sydney Oval and a cricketing team-mate who plays for Randwick.''
Eaton's husband Jeff said: "Whatta Lurker was out of action for six months after he broke the stopper bone and because of injuries he had around 11 months on the sideline during a 12 month period.''
Whatta Lurker, who has now won 12 of 27 races, defeated former record holder Rockin' Georgia, who jumped fast but was checked immediately, in last Friday's race.
Before the event Rockin' Georgia's trainer Darryl Thomas said: "This bitch has just run her fastest trial ever and if they are going to beat her they will have to break the track record.'' How right he was!
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LUKE Azzopardi, whose greyhound Mrs Emgrand set the 530m time standard at Sunday's historic "finish on lure'' meeting at Richmond, has heaped praise on the concept.
Mrs Emgrand began only fairly but swept around her rivals to lead going through the catching pen before winning comfortably in a smart 30.63.
"Like all innovations there were a couple of teething problems but they can be sorted out easily,'' Azzopardi, one of Sydney's most experienced trainers, said.
"In 10 of the 11 races the dogs finished onto the lure cleanly and don't forget, greyhounds can't learn from one race meeting.
"I had given Mrs Emgrand a finish on after a 200 metre hit-out at Richmond three days earlier and she came strongly onto the lure after Sunday's race.
"Like a lot of greyhounds, she is exactly the type who will flourish thanks to the finish on lure concept.''
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PETER Lagogiane, trainer of Mystic Riot the inaugural Million Dollar Chase winner last year, considers Friday night's final of the Group 2 LADBROKES GARDENS Black Top one of the most open races on record.
Lagogiane has qualified with Mystic Riot in box four and with Double Back, who was run down by Good Odds Buddy in his heat, in box six.
"I think just about every finalist has a genuine winning chance and while my pair have not drawn well I think they are both right in it,'' Lagogiane said.
"Double Back trialled sensationally before his heat so I was disappointed when he made the pace and did not get to the line as strongly as expected last Friday.
"Mystic Riot finished strongly when she Chased home Black Forge and although she is three-and-a-half years old I believe she is ready to run a terrific race.''
