Lasting Friendship Leads To Richmond Derby Finalist

An enduring friendship forged long ago at a Coonamble October carnival has PENRITH trainer Bobby Hodges steering Queensland-trained and owned It's A Rush towards the $40,000 first prize in Friday night's group 2 Richmond Derby final.

It's A Rush, who followed a scorching all-the-way Wentworth Park 520m win with a replica performance in a slick 30.63 in his Richmond heat, has drawn ideally in box one on Friday.

Hodges, who has cared for the Queensland-based Bowe family's greyhound throughout his NSW campaign, said: "Before the heats It's A Rush had only had a box-to-box trial at Richmond.

"Naturally his trainers Justin Bowe and his uncle Gerard Bowe, are very happy with box one.

"I first met the Bowe family many years ago when I was still a kid and they attended a Coonamble carnival.

"My family lived at Coonamble and we became firm friends with the Bowes, so when they decided to send It's A Rush south the dog came to my kennels at PENRITH.''

Early in his training career Hodges received plenty of advice from Hunter Valley conditioners Ian Darcey and the legendary Ken Cheetham, who trained 1964 National Derby winner Flying Myobb and How's The Fort, awarded the 1994 NSW Greyhound of the Year title.

"After It's A Rush won last Friday I received messages of congratulations from Ian and from Cheeto, and that was pretty special,'' Hodges said.

Jungle Deuce suffered his first defeat in six starts at Sandown on Thursday night but the crack NSW youngster was far from disgraced in finishing third, from box seven.

After being close to last to leave the boxes, Jungle Deuce was checked severely as he tried to reach the rails on the first turn, and came from a distant midfield spot on the back straight.

Trainer Jack Smith, never one to get too excited about his greyhounds, said: "I was happy with his run although it was nothing to write home about.

"When you know you are going to be in the car for 18 hours you like to think they are going to be able to handle a check.

"I wasn't disappointed with his effort but I have been spoiled by Feral Franky who could bounce off a check and go forward.

"I had given Jungle Deuce a look at Sandown and he trialled 29.42 for the 515m which is what the winner clocked in his race on Thursday.

"Jungle Deuce is being prepared for the Sandown Launching Pad series which gets under way on March 18.''

The Launching Pad requires a $2000 entry fee and the 515m event, which is for greyhounds with no more than six wins, is worth $150,000 to the winner of the April 1 final.

Sydney trainer Peter LagogIane won the Launching Pad with Beast Unleashed in 2018.