Caption: The Greg Stella-trained sprinter Adjourned … one of the main chances in Sunday’s $11,600 Young Guns Final (366m) at Capalaba. Photo: Just Greyhound Photos.
By MIKE HILL
ADJOURNED’S chances in Sunday’s $11,600 Young Guns Final (366m) at Capalaba hinge very much on his start.
That’s the message from trainer Greg Stella.
“We’re happy with the dog, he’s going well,” said the Park Ridge-based conditioner.
“But he can be a bit risky at box rise.
“He needs a good start.”
And in saying that, Stella, who also has Red Ranger (box 7) in the race, admitted: “We’re going into the final with not a lot of confidence.
“It’s a very good field of young dogs.”
Despite the trainer’s concerns, Adjourned (Aussie Infrared-Inspired Hope) was at his very best last weekend, nailing the start and racing to an impressive heat victory.
The 19.57s run was also a personal best for the talented chaser.
The black sprinter has drawn box one in the final and although Stella said it was OK, he suggested most of the runners would head towards the middle of the track.
He said the sprinter would have to be at his best, particularly at the start.
“Adjourned is very consistent and always puts in 100 per cent,” Stella said.
“He’s been well schooled and has a good record at the track.”
With overall career stats of 14: 8-3-1, Adjourned has an impressive five wins and a second from six starts at Capalaba.
“He’s still only a young dog and he has ability,” said Stella.
“We’re just hoping he gets a clear run and he’s in the finish.”
And what about kennelmate Red Ranger?
“He’s a few lengths off the better dogs in the race,” Stella said.
“He’s done well to get to the final, but he’ll be one of the outsiders.”
The $7540-to-the-winner final is chock-full of quality and depth.
It includes recent feature winners Saanvi (The Golden Chase) and Golden Bear (Eric Thomson Memorial), who both qualified on Thursday night for the $45,000 Brisbane Young Guns Final (520m) at Albion Park next week.
Meanwhile, the Matt Vincent-prepared Hotel Whisky One heads into Sunday’s final as the fastest heat winner.
Hotel Whisky One scorched over the Capalaba grass last Sunday in 19.45s – .23s outside Leeroy Rogue’s track record of 19.22s set in October 2016.
The other heat winners were Royal Warren for Cyndie Elson in 19.68s, Big Chief Size (Mick Vaughan) in 19.66s and the Dave Irwin-trained Lukey Valley in 19.78s.
Capalaba Young Guns Final: 1 Adjourned, 2 Golden Bear, 3 Saanvi, 4 Hotel Whisky One, 5 Lukey Valley, 6 Royal Warren, 7 Red Ranger, 8 Big Chief Size. Res: 9 Daysea’s Shelly, 10 Swift Bill.