NSW Pair Complete Hot National Straight Track Final
By Michael Cowley
Darren Sultana will be chasing a straight track championship double in next Saturday’s National Straight Track Final after he secured both NSW spots at Richmond on Saturday morning.
The National Final will be held on Sultana’s ‘home’ track at Richmond and not only did he qualify both Extra Specialism and Mr America, but the pair drew boxes one and two respectively.
“Mr America got a little bit held up today (from box five) but he needs an inside box, and the other dog did well to just hold on to win,” Sultana said.
Extra Specialism used the draw to stick to the rail, take the lead, and stay out of trouble while others, including favourite Sacred Stance, were finding drama behind him.
Mr America was desperate to get to the fence and while he was checked early, he managed to get to the rail and charged at his kennelmate, missing by just a neck, the winner posting 17.64s.
Mr America has been one of the straight track stars at Richmond winning 13 times from 18 starts with three seconds, two of those coming in the heat and final of the NSW Straight Track Championships, and has a best time of 17.40s at the venue.
Last month Sultana took Mr America to Queensland for the heats and then final of the TAB Straight Of Origin Series at Capalaba and the big dog impressively won both the heat and final.
Third placegetter in that final was Tony Brett’s Milligan who went on to win the Queensland Straight Track Championship and who will represent that state next Saturday morning. Brett made the hit and run trip to Richmond to trial Milligan on Saturday, the dog running a handy 17.59s.
“There is such a big difference with the two different lures, the drag at home compared to on the lure (arm) down here,” Brett said.
“Up home if he jumps from the inside he wants to get to the outside of the track but I put him out of the three (box) today and he pretty much went straight, bang up the middle. He missed the kick a bit, but that’s just getting used to the lure.”
Milligan drew box 8 in the final but Brett has no doubt who the one to beat is.
“$25,000 for a straight track final, it’s great money and he’s probably drawn one of the better fields of the Nationals,” Brett said referring to the National Sprint and Distance titles which will also be run next weekend at Wentworth Park. “I think all the good dogs from each state and have got through and it will be a great race here next Saturday morning.
“Box 8 is not bad. I didn’t want to be in the middle of the pack. He’s not an electric beginner and he will love having that room to move.
“It’s just a matter of whether he goes looking for the rail, but if he stays on his own - and that’s what he does at Capalaba - he can wind up and he gets to the line so strong. He’s just got to stay out of trouble.
“More the worry is that Mr America has drawn the two, where he wants to be. Any dog that has won 12 or 13 out of 15 or so up the straight, is a worry. He beat everyone fair and square up home. He jumped beautifully and went as straight as an arrow and was too good for us in the Straight Of Origin. He’s the dog to beat for sure
“I’m not sure if other interstate dogs have trialed, but it’s a tough, tough field. When you get eight really good straight trackers together, it’s probably who stays out of trouble that is going to pinch it.”
