Caption: Spooky Hook confirmed his potential with a triumph in the Listed WA Bred Championship at Mandurah. (Photo courtesy of Greyhounds WA)
WA News with BRETT HONEY
Young sprinter Spooky Hook’s gradual rise to WA’s city class ranks has been capped off with a triumph in the Listed WA Bred Championship at Mandurah.
Trained by Andrew Mclaren, Spooky Hook has made a habit of winning early in his career, both over the 488-metre trip and the short 400 metre start at the coastal circuit.
He qualified for the final by winning his heat in a slick 27.14, proving too strong for the likes of Inside Scoop and Sunset Serengeti.
Drawing box 3 for the final, he was boxed around some of the best beginners in the state but still managed to find the front. He was challenged turning for home by Sunset Nightjar, but proved too strong in the end, posting a time of 27.28.
The win was Spooky Hook’s 14th from 26 starts and his prizemoney has now surpassed $75,000.
The WA Bred Championship was his first black-type success, but had previously added a feature race to his CV when taking out ‘The Shorts’ over 400 metres at Mandurah.
In Cannington’s absence, his versatility has provided Mclaren with plenty of options and his reliable early speed should see him transfer his form to Cannington when it is re-opened in November.
Despite so much already achieved early in his career, the only way is now up for Spooky Hook.
Young Stars herald the Return to Cannington
The wait is nearly over for the return of greyhound racing at Cannington, with works to the track nearing completion.
Boxes are now in place at each starting point, with slight changes on the angle for the two bend starts, the 380 and 600 metre starting points.
The first feature to be contested on the newly renovated circuit will be the Group 3 Young Star Classic which is set to be a hotly contested affair, with talented litters hitting the ground and making their mark in recent months.
Decisions loom for trainers Paul Stuart and Steve Shinners as to whether they tackle the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Sandown Park with their leading chances following the MDC, or potentially bank on winning the local $30,000 to the winner feature.
The depth of young sprinters in WA will ensure the Young Stars is must-see television, nevertheless.
WA stars in Million Dollar Chase spotlight
In a year where WA has had no shortage of success on the road, Bezzechi and Sunset Frazier ensured the state was well represented during Wentworth Park’s Million Dollar Chase carnival, blazing differing paths to reach the grand final.
Bezzechi was the talk of the greyhound world a week out from the MDC semi-finals after clocking a sizzling 29.12 on debut at Wentworth Park, agonisingly close to the famous Shakey Jakey track record of 29.07.
His win in the semi-finals was more-so tradesman like, negotiating a wide draw to run over the top of Trunkey Chief.
Sunset Frazier entered semi-final night in hot form following Group 2 Glory in the Black Top at The Gardens in a time of 29.31.
Following the trend of recent months, he began poorly off the mat in his semi-final, but his turn of foot through the first bend allowed him to eventually find the front and although paddling late, he managed to hold on and book his ticket to the final.
The final did not go to plan for the WA dogs however. Sunset Frazier managed to find the lead, but was left wanting late and eventually finished third.
Bezzechi was put out of business on the first turn from box 8, but did make late ground to finish 5th. Despite the result, the two sets of connections of Bezzechi and Sunset Frazier can be proud of their achievements away from home.
Team Shinners Shines at Wentworth Park
The kennel of Krystal and Steve Shinners took their show on the road during the Million Dollar Chase carnival and came away with pleasing results, with Transcendent and Miss Envy winning consolations of the Young Star and Million Dollar Chase respectively.
Transcendent was involved in a seesawing battle with Victorian Paw Petrov in the Young Stars Consolation, eventually getting the upper hand in a slick 29.38. He was unlucky not to make the final after winning his heat, only to miss on times given the 10 heats for the series.
Miss Envy never had the rub of the green in Sydney. Drawing box 7 in her semi of the Million Dollar Chase. She was good enough to finish second to qualify for the consolation. She drew box 8 for the final and in similar fashion to her WA Sprint Championship win, showed tremendous field sense and eventually worked to the front.
She was too good from there and saluted in a time of 29.80, holding off Power And Glory. The Consolation victory saw her prizemoney eclipse $200,000 and astonishingly, was her fourth feature race win after just 16 starts.
Team Shinners did qualify talented bitch La Sagrada through the final of the Young Star. She did well to finish second to My Pharoah after being squeezed in the early stages.
