As One Departs, Another Ready To Arrive For Minnie
By Michael Cowley
Anyone who witnessed the scenes of jubilation at Dubbo 12 months ago would vividly recall the emotion shown by Minnie Finn when The King, Zipping Kyrgios took out the inaugural Country Classic. The King won’t be there this time, but there could be a repeat performance from Minnie.
Ironically on a night where she said farewell to a dog she admits has been one of her favourites, Zipping Kyrgios, Minnie gave herself and husband John a great chance to go back to back in the $125,000 to the winner feature - the richest middle-distance event in the world - when a former local Tania Keeping was one of the standouts in the four semi-finals.
“I believe he might be retiring after tonight,” she said of Zipping Kyrgios who gave her such an emotional thrill at the track with the owners, the Hallinan family, last year. “Marty (Hallinan) called me last week and he said we might call it a day and be putting him out to stud.
“It's been a great run, a great career. He's been an awesome dog, a good chaser, I'd love to get another one like him.”
But while Kyrgios was the sad farewell, there was plenty for Minnie to celebrate with Tania Keeping who effortlessly won her semi in 34.70s from Jackpot Joan who also qualifies for next week’s final, with Kyrgios">Zipping Kyrgios a gallant third.
“To get in these races is special. I like coming up here,” she said. “She’s a very talented greyhound. On her night she’s as good as any dog we have had, she’s just got to find the front and get her own way and she’ll be hard to beat.”
For Tania Keeping it was her first time back at Dubbo for a race since May last year. She spent her early days at Dubbo and was originally trained locally by Charmaine Roberts.
“She likes it here and as everyone knows that she was broken in here and educated here,” said Minnie.
Fastest of the four semi-finals was JODIE Lord’s Bandit Jane who was just 0.05s outside the track record of Miss Ezmae with her 34.40s performance.
Bandit Jane had three lengths to spare over a gallant Showman Jack who will also take his place in next week’s final.
The Lords, JODIE and husband Andy, have captured many feature races in the calendar, but with the Country Classic in its infancy, they would like to tick this one off the bucket list next week, and the key again will be how she jumps. The last six times Bandit Jane has jumped fast, she’s won and run slick times including a track record over the 600m at Dapto back in November.
“You’ve got to go where the money is and chase those races, and this is what they (the Lords) do,” said kennel representative Ray Dickson.
“We came up here and raced here and to come back tonight for a second look has really helped.
“When she gets to the front she's just a completely different dog. She nearly ran the record here tonight. Who knows you might see a little bit of improvement again next week.”
In the opening semi-final of the night, a late surge by Victorian Valor Bale saw the dog level up with the Lord-trained Grim Madara right on the line and dead heat for first, with both dogs advancing to the final.
Grim Madara – brother of Bandit Jane - had led from soon after the jump, and looked like he might hold on for the win, before the Mark Delbridge-trained Valor Bale made one last dive. The pair clocked 34.78s.
“I thought he actually won, just got the bob of the head in,” Delbridge said. “But as I said, it doesn't matter he’s through to the final. Everything's stayed off the rails and he just kept railing through.
“It feels terrific to have one through. I had Jarick Bale last year in the final but he was unplaced, but it's good to get one through to the final again.
“He's going to have to come out better I suppose next week, otherwise, we will be chasing their tails.”
The final semi of the night was won by the Dennis Barnes trained Nangar Rocket, who with a better draw this week was able to turn the tables of last week’s Dubbo heat winner Ailee Bale.
Nangar Rocket jumped moderately and was wide down the straight the first time before cutting the fence on the turn and racing through to lead. Once in front it was game over and he went on to win by four lengths from Ailee Bale in 34.54s with a further seven lengths back to early leader Come On Aussie in third place.
“We’re rapt, it’s unbelievable,” said Barnes of reaching the final.
