Caption: Shayne Williams (trainer), Jay Jacobsen (handler) and James Broadhurst (Greyhounds WA) with Blackpool Flash

WA roundup by James Broadhurst

CLASSY Victorian short-courser Blackpool Flash completed a brilliant WA campaign when he produced a race-record run to take out the recent Group 3 Birthday Cup at Mandurah.

On the back of some great form Blackpool Flash was sent to the boxes vying for favouritism with Canya Cruise, the fastest qualifier through the heat stage.

The early speed battle between the pair was a big factor in determining the outcome of the race and Blackpool Flash gave himself a huge advantage by firing to the lead when the lids flipped open.

Even though Canya Cruise landed on his tail and pressured him throughout the run Blackpool Flash didn’t falter and he responded by setting a cracking pace out on the lure.

Blackpool Flash surged across the finish line three quarters of a length ahead of Canya Cruise to stop the clock in a very slick 22.24 over the 405m journey.

The victory was the culmination of an ambitious plan by owner Rori Kenyon and trainer Shayne Williams.

Blackpool Flash had been targeted for the Birthday Cup after showing plenty of promise as an up-and-coming sprinter in Victoria.

The greyhound arrived in Williams’ Nambeelup kennels at the end of November which gave him plenty of time to settle into his new surroundings and to acclimatize to the Mandurah racetrack.

The fast-launching chaser stepped off the plane having won five of his previous six starts and didn’t miss a beat under Williams’ guidance.

Blackpool Flash won all of his six starts in the west.

With the Birthday Cup trophy secured Blackpool Flash returned to Victoria and was set to hunt for further riches back in his home state.

“He came over (from Victoria) in really good nick…all we had to do was not stuff it up,” Williams said of Blackpool Flash at the trophy presentation ceremony.

“To have the owners send a dog like him over to us means a lot.

“We’ll miss him from the kennel but I’m sure there’s plenty more ahead for the greyhound back home.”