Sneaky Emoji upstages kennelmate to take out WA Derby

Caption: David Hobby and Sneaky Emoji take centre stage after the running of the recent Group 2 WA Derby. (Photo: Greyhounds WA)

Western Australia News With BRETT HONEY

Sneaky Emoji offset a difficult draw to cause an upset in the Group 2 WA Derby (520m) at Cannington, running down kennelmate Sunset Frazier in the concluding stages.

The son of Sunset Spitfire, Sneaky Emoji entered this year’s Derby after a short stint over the 600-metre journey and with fewer accolades than some of his opposition. He ran second in his heat behind New South Wales dog Fire Lighter, however he did post an impressive 29.68 in doing so.

Drawing Box 7 for the final, Sneaky Emoji was sent out the rank outsider of the field. He was able to maintain a straight line early, which meant he missed the trouble on the inside and found himself the first dog behind speedster Sunset Frazier.

He managed to keep within striking distance of Frazier and overpowered him in the home straight. Perth Cup winner Uncle Tommy worked his way into third placing.

Sneaky Emoji became the first dog out of the talented Sunset Spitfire to taste Group-level success and is Spitfire’s second dog to pass the $100,000 mark in prizemoney.

To date, Sunset Spitfire has had limited opportunities at stud, with all runners coming from WA. Sneaky Emoji may have gone some way in putting Sunset Spitfire on the breeding map.

Cannington shut for renovations

A short period of change will be forced upon trainers, owners, and punters alike with Cannington due to be closed for redevelopments for the entire winter and into the spring.

During this time, city grade racing on a Saturday night will be moved to Mandurah. 520-metre racing will be conducted over the 488-metre distance, whilst the 652-metre position will cater for City 600m and 715m racing.

Some city grade races will also be available on a Thursday night card at Northam as well to provide trainers with options and flexibility. The 509m and 721m starts will offer City Grade 5 races in the first half of the winter, as well as some Novice and Maiden Fixtures.

Group and Listed Level racing has been shuffled around during this time. Mandurah will host the majority of the Sprint features including the Winter Cup and ‘The West Cha$e’, as well as the Group 3 Paradise Street which will be held over 652 metres.

A decision to hold the WA Sprint and Distance at Northam has been made given the track is two-turns, similar to Angle Park which hosts the Nationals this year.

My Anarchy Boy and Sunset Serengeti Enjoy Mandurah Derby and Oaks Success

My Anarchy Boy and Sunset Serengeti earned the titles of Prince and Princess of Mandurah in taking out the Peel circuit’s Derby and Oaks respectively over the 488-metre journey.

My Anarchy Boy had been a dominant force at Mandurah since the track’s re-opening late last year, and qualified for the final impressively, coming from behind to score in a time of 26.93.

He had the task ahead of him in the final drawing Box 6 and had to weave his way through the field in the middle stages before descending late. He was too strong for his rivals and held off a fast-finishing Sunset Comanche to score in a time of 27.05.

The Mandurah Derby was his first feature race success and took his prizemoney to over $80,000 for trainer Adam Smithson.

Sunset Serengeti rolled into the Mandurah Oaks with serious momentum, winning three of her last four with all of those being over the Oaks track and trip. She capitalised on trouble up front to win her way through to the final in a time of 27.75, which didn’t tell the story of the race.

Drawing Box 2 to the final, speed maps went out the window when she found the front and it was all over from there, taking out the Oaks in a time of 26.98. Like My Anarchy Boy, this was Sunset Serengeti’s maiden feature race success and will clearly be at home during the winter, with City racing moving to Mandurah.

The Month Ahead

Mandurah will be a hive of activity during June, with five features to be held during the month at the Coastal Circuit.

The Winter Cup headlines the Sprint features and is a Listed level race held over the 488 metres. Traditionally at Cannington, the Winter Cup attracts the best greyhounds in the state with an impressive honour roll.

The biggest talking point this year will be how well the top greyhounds in the State handle the bend start at Mandurah, and to what degree track specialists such as My Anarchy Boy will be suited.

The Group 3 Paradise Street Trophy will be held over 652 metres this year and will offer a different feel to the traditional 600 metre starting point.

Typically, the Paradise Street sees top-level sprinters try their hand over the middle-distance and take on the stayers who drop back.

This is unlikely to happen in this year’s edition, rather it will be more of staying test.

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