Magnificent Mia Nabs Fifth Wenty Success

By Jeff Collerson
Good Odds Cobber won Thursday night's Group 1 Dapto Megastar and on Saturday his litter sister, Mia Magnifico, a gift from the big race winner's trainer to fellow trainer Neville Brown, notched her fifth Wentworth Park success.

Mia Magnifico came from fourth at the halfway mark to score by three lengths in 29.90 in a 520m fifth grade.

After the race, Neville Brown explained: "Frank Hurst, Good Odds Cobber's breeder and trainer, gave this bitch to me when she was a youngster.

"Frank and I have been great mates for over 30 years and when he presented me with Mia Magnifico, he declared 'I am giving you a future brood bitch.'

"Because of Good Odds Cobber's string of big race wins, the latest in the Megastar, Mia Magnifico is indeed a valuable brood bitch prospect.

"But even if she wasn't Good Odds Cobber's sister, I would be breeding from her because in all the years I have had greyhounds, I have not had a bitch with such a beautiful, perfect temperament as Mia Magnifico.

"She was well graded tonight because she went into the race with four wins at Wenty while her rivals had just a single win between them.

"Mia Magnifico got to the line powerfully tonight and I think she will do well over a middle distance.''

Melbourne Storm could well be headed for the NRL grand final and one of their stars, Ryan Papenhuyzen was in the spotlight at Wentworth Park on Saturday when Nangar Larry, in which he shares ownership, recorded his 12th win at headquarters.

Nangar Larry's all-the-way win in Saturday's Thank You Ron Arnold top grade 520m race took the JODIE Lord-trained dog's earnings to over $208,000.

Nangar Larry battled for the lead throughout the race with the Minnie Finn-trained Both Bowers Ace but prevailed in the straight by a head in 29.80.

Boom youngster Rinsed The Lot missed the start from box four and lost no admirers with a strong finishing third, a half-length away.

Princess Killara began racing in blinkers last month and took her record with the new equipment to two wins and two seconds with a strong finishing win in 29.97 in a 520m fifth grade at Wentworth Park on Saturday.

Princess Killara's litter brother and kennelmate Tarzan Teddy was sent out favourite ahead of her for the race which puzzled their trainer Pat Parrelli.

"In trials Princess Killara has always been a bit quicker than Tarzan Teddy although in their last meeting there was nothing between them,'' Parrelli said.

"Reason Princess Killara now races in blinkers is because she was given a 'ticket' for marring.

"She doesn't fight but she is inclined to play, and that is just her nature.

"Whereas Tarzan Teddy, who has won six races, is a very reserved dog, his sister Princess Killara wants to play all day long.''

There was not a more impressive win on Saturday than the personal best 29.67 posted by the Ricky Brewer-trained CABAO JASPER in a 520m fifth grade.

CABAO JASPER is an extremely wide runner but after beginning cleanly from box one, he shifted ground on the first turn and collided with co-leader Bumpy Gold.

But CABAO JASPER retained the lead and was able to hold off Sammy Ethan to win by a length.