Jackson happy to be in Vince Curry semis

January 26, 2024

Caption: Sharyn Jackson (inset) and the Jedda Cutlack-trained Duffman, an impressive heat winner and one of the main threats to Jackson getting her young sprinter Gold Seqauni through to next week’s $112,500 Vince Curry Memorial Maiden final at Ipswich. (Main photo: Just Greyhound Photos)

Ipswich Greyhound Club’s Weekly Wrap with MIKE HILL

SHARYN Jackson says she’s very excited to have a runner in the semi-finals of the $112,500 Vince Curry Memorial Maiden series over 520m at Ipswich on Saturday.

Although she wouldn’t admit it, Jackson looks to have a strong chance of qualifying for next week’s $75,000-to-the-winner final with the impeccably bred Gold Sequani (Fernando Bale-Sequana).

The light fawn sprinter was highly impressive, running a solid second to the heavily-backed Barefoot Dave (John Thompson) in one of the eight heats last weekend.

Gold Sequani exploded from the boxes with the fastest first split (5.21s) and quickly put two lengths on her rivals before Barefoot Dave pounced on the top turn, racing away to a two-length victory.

The winning time of 30.58s was the second-fastest of the heats behind Comedy Act (30.50s).

Jackson said she was happy with the way Gold Sequani held on in the straight.

“I just hope she can jump out as well as she did last week and it’s a safe race,” she said.

“It was only her second time out of the boxes and the run should improve her.

“She’s quite zippy.”

Jackson said she was thrilled to be in the series and thanked owner-breeder Russell Farrell for the opportunity to train the sprinter.

“Last week was Gold Sequani’s first race start and only her third look at the track,” the trainer said.

“Prior to the series, she’d had a post-to-post and a full trial.”

Gold Sequani’s main dangers in the third of four semi-finals appear to be heat winners Duffman (Jedda Cutlack) and Time Keeper (Pat Dennis) and the Ned Snow-prepared Coffee Blast.

Snow said he was delighted Coffee Blast, runner-up (beaten three-and-a-half lengths) behind fastest heat winner Comedy Act, had drawn the rails in his semi-final.

“He should improve on his heat run and box one will definitely help him,” he said.

The Purga-based trainer said Coffee Blast had ability and had run 30.51s in an earlier Ipswich trial.

“Hopefully he’ll been in the final,” said Snow, who is chasing his third Vince Curry title after winning with Woops A Daisy in 2003 and Shipwreck (2022).

He also has Mischievous Lou (box 2) in the second semi-final.

“She should also improve on last week’s fourth (behind Barefoot Dave),” the trainer said.

“That was her first time out of the boxes at Ipswich.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Hosking is hoping his sole representative Down Size can improve her box manners enough to possibly progress to the final.

Down Size (Fernando Bale-Emmaville Star) has drawn box five in the tough second semi-final that includes impressive heat winners That’s Nuts (Ryan Ayre) and Callisto (Tony Zammit) as well as smart runners-up Johnny No Ice (Noel Evans), Whisky Six (Bob Giltinan) and Fire Up Baz (Jeff Crawford).

“Her box manners have been her downfall in her trials leading up to the series,” said Hosking.

“Hopefully she improves with race experience but I’m not expecting much change in a week.

“Her times have improved and she could be a nice bitch going forward.”

Down Size (30.98s) finished fourth behind Duffman, beaten five and a quarter lengths, last week but it was her strength at the end that was impressive.

She had one of the better run-home times with Hosking agreeing the sprinter was strong at the end of her races.

“Her box manners are not the best as she can get a bit excited,” he said.

“With so many youngsters racing with limited experience, you need plenty of luck as well as ability.

“Not always does the fastest dog win; they’re all young and you need a bit of luck.

“I know Down Size has been well schooled, it’s just her start she needs to master.”

Jeff Crawford, who has two runners still in the series – Fire Up Pope (box 1 in the first semi-final) and Fire Up Baz (box 3, second semi), said he was more hopeful than confident.

“I wasn’t quite sure what they would do in their heats last week,” the trainer said.

“But I was happy with the way they put their heads down and chased.

“I didn’t expect them to make the semis, so it’s a bonus now and they’ve drawn ideally.

“I do expect a fair bit of improvement in both this week, however, they’re up against some smart youngsters .”

Crawford said he wasn’t sure about the Flying Fired Up-Kiss An’ Roll youngsters early in their preparation.

“But they appear to have turned the corner, particularly since going to Ipswich, and could make nice little race dogs,” he said.

“Pope (Fire Up Pope) has always been the better of the two,” Crawford said, adding that the rails box should be a big help.

“I’m just hoping for a nice run.”

Fire Up Pope faces highly impressive heat winners Comedy Act and Hendrix Dutton (Andrew Monaghan), while Miss Adventurer (Stephen McInerney) could run into a place.

The fourth semi-final brings together heat winners Barefoot Dave, again drawn in six, and Zephyr (Gerald Corrigan, box 4), while Get On (Andrew Monaghan), Reggie Riesling (Tony Apap) and Tank Engine are not without chances.

Tips for the four semi-finals:

Race 5: Comedy Act 1, Hendrix Dutton 2, Fire Up Pope 3, Miss Adventurer 4.

Race 6: That’s Nuts 1, Callisto 2, Down Size 3, Whisky Six 4.

Race 7: Gold Sequani 1, Duffman 2, Coffee Blast 3, Time Keeper 4.

Race 8: Barefoot Dave 1, Zephyr 2, Get On 3, Tank Engine 4.

IPSWICH staff have been praised for getting the track back in racing order after heavy rain threatened last week’s opening night of the Vince Curry series.

Under curator and track supervisor Nigel Rigg’s guidance, staff quickly repaired the damage after run-off had created several deep furrows across the track in the home straight.

One official said the meeting would have been in doubt had it not been for the quick actions of staff.

“Congratulations to all concerned. It was a great effort,” he said.

*****

PATRONS are advised to book early to guarantee a table for what is shaping up as a bumper Vince Curry final night next Saturday.

“To ensure a table, get in early,” was the big tip coming from one office staff member this week.

“A splendid buffet dinner is available and guests can also order from our takeaway section.”

The night will be under the control of MC Paul Dolan, while the club will also honour its major winners from last season – greyhound of the year (Galloping Black), leading trainers male (Peter O’Reilly) and female (Pauline Byers) and top owner (Board Racing) – with a special awards presentation during the evening.