Caption: A crowded presentation arena after Cyndie’s Cyndie (Cyndie Elson) was crowned winner of the annual Peter Ruetschi Memorial Best 8 (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night. (Photo: Box 1 Photography)
Pat McLeod reviews Thursday night greyhound racing at Albion Park:
Cyndie Elson’s boom chaser Cyndie’s Cyndie confirmed her status as a star in the making and also re-united two greyhound families in an emotional win at Albion Park on Thursday night.
The daughter of champion Cyndie’s Magic again indicated she could be on the same path as her famous mother in taking out the Peter Ruetschi Memorial Best 8 (520m).
“The time tonight wasn’t great, but the way she finished, coming from so far back, was special,” said prominent trainer, Cyndie Elson’s son, Travis Elson.
“For mum, this is her roller-coaster ride right now with this dog. This little girl has come through and looks like she will be a really good stayer.
“I think that her box manners will bring her undone over 500 metres against really top dogs. That is why I think she will really excel over the 600 metres, and possibly longer.
“I have no doubt that she will be contesting significant 600 metre races during this upcoming winter carnival.”
Elson said there was a real significance in winning the Peter Ruetschi Memorial, a race named in honour of the larger-than-life industry figure who was killed in a car accident in 2017.
“It is a pity that dad (former top owner/breeder/trainer Bill Elson) has dementia, because he would have been very proud to win this race tonight,” Travis said.
“Pete and dad go back a long way. For many years they would sit at the same table here at Albion Park.
“In fact, our whole family and Peter knew each other very well. For a long period we both were living on the North Coast.
“We have known each other from when we both started racing greyhounds.
“Pete certainly was a big character and also a very good trainer in his own right – very good with a dog.”
As is now her trademark, Cyndie’s Cyndie, left her best until last, reeling in Sharyn Jackson’s Mr. Springtime (second) and kennelmate Cincinnati Lana (third) in a final, withering burst.
The winning time was 30.30s.
In the night’s second feature, Sandra Hunt’s Kahlo Hayze continued her march towards a big-race win with a nine-length victory in the TAB Easter Trophy Final (520m).
It was the Orson Allen x Dolcetto Hayze chaser’s eighth win in nine starts, and a PB for track and distance (29.72).
Kahlo Hayze, jumping from Box 1, led for the entire journey, with the Travis Elson pair of Aidan’s Queen and Super Scrub finishing second and third.
“I was glad to get box 1 because there was a lot of early pace and I did not want to get caught on the outside of that,” Hunt said.
“I was rapt with the run and I’m sure Nathan (Trigg) the owner will be ecstatic. I am very happy for them.”
Experienced trainer Tony Zammit was far from disappointed with star stayer Valpolicella’s second to Sean Galloway’s veteran Springtime Rose in a Free For All 710m event.
Zammit’s youngster is off to Sydney next week to contest the heats of the Group 1 Association Cup (720m) at Wentworth Park.
“I wasn’t disappointed in the run tonight,” he said. “She never really got into clean air until she had run a lap.
“She had to work hard early and it doesn’t matter what distance the race is, if they have to work early, it is hard to do it at both ends.
“She was trying to get over, but she couldn’t. But that is just racing.
“The good thing about her, she never gives up. It doesn’t matter where she is she will always be running on.”
Galloway said Sptingtime Rose’s win at her 72nd start was ‘a bit of a surprise, but a nice surprise’.
“She turned four in February,” he said.
“She had the right box and Valpolicella got tangled up with her coming around the corner (into the home straight).
“I’m just glad that my girl used the box (Box 1).
“That is dog racing and the luck of the draw. Even the very good dogs can’t win all the time … I would not like to match race her (Valpolicella).”
Churchable trainer Jamie Hosking confirmed he will be sending Samurai Mind to Rockhampton for a pre-cup workout next Wednesday following that dog’s solid win in a 520m 3rd/4th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night.
The consistent chaser led from box rise, out of the seven alley, and completed the journey in 30.04 ahead of Rapid Ripple (Michael Lalicz) and Obliging Warren (Cyndie Elson).
“We are off to Rockhampton and will race in a 400metre race there on Wednesday night,” he said. “We would have preferred a 500-metre race but the 400 metres will do rather than going up there just to trial.
“Then, we will go back up in a couple of weeks for the Rockhampton Cup heats (heats, April 19, final April 26).
“I don’t think he has ever led in his life, but certainly came out under the lids tonight.”
Another very happy trainer was Jayson Valentine, after the performance of No Ordinary Gal, who collected her first win over the 600m at Albion Park.
“I thought this was the race for her tonight, to win her first over 600 metres at Albion Park, and she proved that,” he said.
“The dog has been in very good form in recent weeks. We have been trying to work up to 700 metres, but with the rain and a few other things that just hasn’t happened yet.
“I really do think that she’s crying out for the 700 metres.
“She shows that by the way she comes home, and she certainly came home well tonight. But she does make it hard for herself, in that she sits on the fence and doesn’t really want to go around dogs.
“She has always shown something special, so I will be interested to see how well she goes over the 700 metres.
“She is very young. We will just see how she progresses.”
