David Braithwaite
LOCAL greyhounds were unable to qualify for the final of the group one Melbourne Cup.
Only the winners from last Friday night’s heats at Sandown Park advanced to tonight’s $630,000 race.
The best performing local was Sweet Demi, who finished third in the fifth heat for Bill McMahon at Darriman. McMahon’s Dr Tucker came eighth in the eighth heat.
Briagolong trainer Matt Clark had two dogs, with Playlist finishing sixth in the opening heat, and Catch The Thief coming eighth in the sixth heat.
Sovereign Wind, trained by Des Douch at Maffra, finished eighth in the fourth heat.
The final will still have a local flavour, with Rosedale-Kilmany Cricket Club a chance to win $5000 as part of the Melbourne Cup Community Sports Club Sweep. Before the heats, the Warriors were allocated Tiggerlong Tonk, which enters the final as second favourite.
Three local dogs booked places in the 515m Super Vicgreys Series final, to be held on Melbourne Cup night at Sandown Park, following the heats on Sunday.
McMahon will have two dogs, after Dr Rozzie won her heat and Dr Madison finished second in hers. Douch’s Ha Ha MacGyver also advanced after finishing second in another heat.
Contesting the 515m Provincial Plate final will be Blue Tiger for Gavin Burke at Alberton West, Ballymac Vicar, trained at Kilmany by Des McPhie, and William Rose, trained by Sharon-Lee Chignell at Rosedale.
The Provincial Plate series is open to dogs with no city wins.
THE Sale kennels of Lesley and Bruce Russell produced a quinella at the Warragul meet on Thursday last week.
In the 460m grade five, Pine Gem raced to the lead on his way to winning, finishing four and a half lengths clear of Wee Gem.
Following a hat-trick of fourth placings, Avenger Spolly won a 460m restricted win race for Steve Spoljaric at Kilmany.
Going head-to-head in the home straight with Go Nera, trained by Leanne Burke at Alberton West, Avenger Spolly won by a neck.
AT Warragul on Friday night, Hazardous Rumour, trained by Georga Gray at Stratford, led from start to finish to win a 460 metre grade six.
Collinda Beast, trained by Sam Tyler at Boisdale, won a 460m grade five. Following a win at Sale 15 days earlier, Collinda Beat led by the turn and was never headed.
ROSEDALE trainers Jeff and Sharon-Lee Chignell had place-getters during Saturday night’s metro meeting at The Meadows. Nicholas Rose finished second by half a length in a 525m grade five, Kingfisher Rose came second in a 600m mixed grade four and five, while Shantelle Rose finished third in a 525m grade five.
SANDY Gem, claimed a sixth win from eight starts on Tuesday night at Warragul. The dog, trained by John Connor at Rosedale, won a heat of the 460m restricted win series by five lengths, booking a spot in this Tuesday’s final. It was an improvement on Sandy Gem’s previous run at Sale, when he tailed off following a collision.
In his 18th start, Light On Tackle recorded his first win for Maffra trainer Lindsay Fulford, taking out a 400m maiden.
ON Wednesday night, Fargo won a 311m maiden for Bill McMahon.
GREYHOUND racing continues at Sale on Friday night, with a 12-race program beginning at 7.13pm.
There will be another 12 races at Sale on Sunday from 6.02pm, highlighted by the Sale Cup Prelude over 650m (race eight, 8.12pm).
