Caption: Jessica Savage with mum-to-be She’s Savage. Jessica is hoping her star sprinter will be as successful off the track.
(Chase Newspaper September 2023 edition)
By Dimity Maher, The Greyhound Girl
TAREE-based trainer Jessica Savage is looking forward to “puppies and her next adventure” with star sprinter She’s Savage, after announcing the flyer’s retirement during August.
The daughter of Aston Dee Bee and successful producer Wicked This Way, took the 31-year-old Country NSW conditioner on the ride of a lifetime, providing her with her first metropolitan winner at Wentworth Park, first Group 1 final and her first track record performance at Richmond over the 320m, where she stopped the clock in a sizzling time of 17.90.
Savage shed many tears upon making the 2022 Group 1 National Futurity Final at Wentworth Park.
Her girl charged across from box eight in a heat, giving her trainer a great sight out in front, however She’s Savage fell just short to Ritza Donna.
However, she lost no admirers managing to clock a smart time of 29.85 over the 520m journey.
While it wasn’t the fairytale ending in the final a week later, Savage could not have been prouder of her effort, with a respectable fourth placing in a star-studded field, won by talented Victorian sprinter Idolize.
The fawn flyer stepped out for 53 career starts, with 19 wins, 14 minor placings and prizemoney just shy of $58,000.
Apart from the Futurity Final, She’s Savage made the 2022 G2 Maitland Cup Final and the listed Ultra Sense final.
While injuries hindered her career, the 27kg chaser gained a cult following and all eyes will be on her first litter, to boom sire Tommy Shelby.
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DAM Wicked This Way currently has a 14-month-old litter by Jungle Deuce, who are certainly worth keeping a close eye on.
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QUEENSLANDER Ben Davey kicked-off his training career in-style at Bundaberg in August, winning with his first starter Case Dismissed over 460m.
The beautifully bred son of Sennachie and Bombshell Bandit, mother of G1 Vic Peters winner Bandit Ned, saluted by 4.75 lengths in a time of 26.64 and looks to have a promising career ahead along with his trainer.
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ANOTHER heart-warming story to come out of Queensland, was 65-start veteran Good Chart Mort breaking through for his maiden victory at Albion Park on August 13 over 331m.
Owner-trainer Karen Davies was elated with the win and was quick to order a winning photo with her family, reiterating the phrase “every dog deserves their day”.
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IT’S rare in greyhound racing that you can attest to training winners at the same venue where celebrated your wedding.
That’s exactly what Northern Rivers trainer Sonia Kempshall did at Grafton during August.
Kempshall notched up a winning treble at the location where her and husband Warren exchanged vows in 2014.
They also met and got engaged at the track.
Perhaps we’ll see more engagements and weddings at metropolitan tracks if they prove to be good luck charms for trainers.
