David Braithwaite
HEATS of the inaugural Horizon were the highlight of Sunday’s Sale greyhound racing meet.
The first two dogs in each 440 metre heat progressed to this Sunday night’s final, where the winner will receive $25,000. Omega Dodge, trained by Barry Harper at Seaspray, claimed a hat-trick of wins by taking out the opening heat. Omega Dodge caught Dream Wizard, trained by Sean Lithgow at Devon Meadows, at the post to win in 24.75 seconds. A last start winner at Ballarat, Papi Go Fast, trained by Robert Camilleri at Lara, led the second heat all the way to win in 24.83s, three lengths ahead of Dr Madison, trained by Bill McMahon at Darriman. Coming off a victory at Geelong, Ferdinand Boy won the third heat for David Geall at Lara in 24.59s. Another dog to bring up three consecutive victories was Dr Tucker, trained by Bill McMahon, in winning the fourth heat in 24.83s. Dr Tucker edged out Massimo, trained by Dawn Johnston at Boisdale in the home straight. Devon Meadows trainer Chris Johannsen had a quinella in the 440m restricted win final, with Too Be Sure claiming the top prize ahead of Aston Rocket. In the first heat of the GRV Vicbred 440m restricted win series, Golden Skyrocket won for Gavin Clifton at Tynong North. Tiger Isla, trained by Douch, ran wide entering the home straight, but recovered to finish a length behind the winner, while Rock On Runner, trained by Matt Clark at Briagolong, also booked a spot in this Sunday’s final by finishing fourth. The second heat was won by Perfect Product, trained by Graeme Jose at Catani. Johnston’s Cosmic Roy placed third and will contest the final. Dr Archer, trained by Judy McMahon at Darriman, finished a neck ahead of Bella Mia Rocks to win the 440m restricted win event. Bernadette, trained by Jenny Gill at Darriman, led until the final bend before finishing third. Race one, a 440m maiden, was won by Trust I Seek, trained by David Kerr at Caldermeade. Bessie’s Daisy, trained by Bill Stockdale at Hastings, flew home to win a 650m grade five, a length clear of Clark’s Showtime Boomer. Douple Dipping, trained by Douch, led most of the way, but faded in the home straight to finish fourth. In a 440m grade five, Hook Along Book, trained by Chloe Kerr at Caldemeade, came home strongly to finish half a length ahead of Dr Luna, trained by Judy McMahon. Ivy Isobel, trained at Tooradin by Brett Mackie, win the night’s final race, a 440m mixed grade four and five, ahead of Ha Ha Magoo, trained by Douch. THREE dogs trained at Darriman won races during Friday’s Sale meeting. Following back-to-back second placings, Dr Wade, trained by Emily McMahon, led all the way to the opening 440m maiden. Bowie, trained by Bill McMahon, won race three, a 440m grade seven, a week after winning at the same track. Bowie took the lead entering the home straight to win by two lengths from What Could Be, trained by Davide Fasoli at Heyfield, with Elswyk Suzie third for Mark Busuttil at Kilmany. The last of the Darriman-trained winners came in race six, a 440m mixed grade three and four, when Camila won by a length for Gill following a victory at Sale the previous Sunday. In second place was Eilish, trained by Douch. In race four over 520m, Bodine, trained by Carolyn Jones at Rosedale, took lead on the back straight and went on to win by five lengths from Madalia Pixie, trained by Kathleen Fogarty at Heyfield. Geena Bale, trained by Susan Northway at Heyfield, finished third. Another winner from the previous Friday meeting to repeat its success was Flywheel Dolly, trained by Sam Bye at Gormandale. Flywheel Dolly led all the way to win race five, a 440m mixed grade six and seven, from Dr Topaz, trained by Kim McMahon at Darriman. Dr Lynch, trained by Ronald Winter at Denison, also led all the way to win the race seven 440m grade five. Kuro Kismet won race eight, a 520m mixed grade four and five, for Clark. Kuro Kismet was mid-field field early, but made up ground on the leaders by the final term and finished well to win by a length. General Collinda, trained by Steph Tyler at Boisdale, finished third. Bundalaguah trainer Corey Fulford had the quinella in the race 10 440m grade five. Go Emmy Go had the race in her keeping for most of the journey, while Roulette claimed second place, just ahead of California Blond, trained by Northway. The ended with Madalia Brodie winning the race 12 440m grade five for Fogarty. Above The Limit, trained by Ben Joske at Yinnar South, won the race two 440m maiden. Masters On Metro won the 520m race nine for Chris Langley at Tooradin, while Little Swagger, trained by Kelvin Browney at Tyong, took out the race 11 440m grade five. DESPITE community sport being paused by the seven-day lockdown, greyhound racing was able to continue. During the lockdown, only people essential to the running of the meeting — such as trainers, handlers and officials — are permitted at tracks. People will have their temperature checked before entering tracks, face masks must be worn at at all times, and 1.5 metre social distancing is being enforced.
