Most expected that the key to the Ladbrokes Thunderbolt Final would be whichever greyhound led, would be the one to beat.
It’s usually the case over the short 350m trip, and when South Australian star Cash On Delivery was slowly away, it would have been a brave supporter of the dog who hung on to their betting ticket.
But racing can be a funny thing, and a dream rail’s run would eventuate in the sprinting star becoming the first interstate winner of the world’s richest greyhound event held on Saturday night at Grafton.
The $75,000 win not only more than doubled Cash On Delivery’s career earnings taking them beyond the $130,000 mark, but enhanced his remarkable record to 54 starts for 35 wins and 14 placings.
But, it didn’t look good 50m into the race when Cash On Delivery was third last behind a wall of dogs.
Brute Banner jumped perfectly from the one box and led but had a number of challengers on his outside early on.
When Brute Banner decided to move up the track soon after, he not only took two compatriots with him, and caused havoc to another couple, but it also gave a saloon passage along the rails to those dogs near the fence, in the back half of the field.
Hit The Switch charged through, as did Short And Stumpy and Cash On Delivery who surged to the lead on the first turn and once in front was never going to be caught.
The Cameron Forshaw-trained star clocked 20.09s, well adrift of his 19.80s figures in the heat two weeks ago, but placings, not times were important this time around.
Interstate dogs actually filled the first three placings with Tasmanian Hit The Switch – a litter brother of the winner - who is now based in Queensland finishing second 2½ lengths back, with Victorian Short And Stumpy a further 1¾ lengths away in third.
“He’s a superstar this dog,” said Forshaw who trains the dog with his partner Ashlee Griffiths. “I’ve got to thank GH Syndications for sending him to us as a young dog. We just transformed him into just a freak of a dog, He’s a one in a lifetime kind of dog. He tries his guts out every week and puts in 100%.”
Asked how they felt when he was slowly away, Ashlee said: “He definitely had a lot of luck go his way.
“He missed the kick and I don't know the last time he's actually done that. We were probably in shock when we saw him not out in front, and then when we saw him get clear, then we started screaming pretty loudly.”
Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Office Rob Macaulay was trackside for the Thunderbolt and was a proud man with the success of the event.
“Another great night at Grafton,” said Macaulay. “The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club can always put on a good show, and John Corrigan and Brennan Naidoo and their board and their whole team have done a brilliant job.
“You see the crowds lined up on the rail cheering those dogs on, it's fun, and then they pour back inside and listen to a great couple of local bands, which everyone really enjoys. It's fantastic to see.
“It is a great success (the Thunderbolt). There's no doubt about that. Look at the effort tonight, people from literally all over the eastern seaboard, Cam and Ash who have come all the way from North Adelaide to compete here tonight, successfully, for the richest shortcourse race in the world.
“It speaks for itself doesn’t it. It is a fantastic event, and hundreds of trainers vie to be here tonight. It's a good event.”
