David Braithwaite
OMEGA Dodge was an impressive winner of the 440 metre final for dogs with three to six wins at the Sale greyhounds on Sunday night.
The dog, trained at Seaspray by Barry Harper, raced away approaching the turn, setting up a five-length victory in 24.77 seconds.
In second place was Airly Pablo, trained by Lesley Russell at Sale, with Dr Lynch third for Ronald Winter at Denison.
Nambrok trainer Lyn Smith and Bill McMahon at Darriman both had two winners during the meet.
Soda Prince won the race five 440m grade five for Smith with a strong run. From 10 starts, the dog has finished in first three nine times, including four wins.
Soda Prince shot out of the gate, and was never headed, winning by eight lengths from Cosmic Roy, trained by Michael Delaney at Cobains.
Smith’s Freddie Cruiser was the fastest heat winner for the 440m mixed grade six and seven.
Freddie Cruiser had the race in his control, stopping the clock at 24.9s, and finished five lengths clear of Lara’s Love, trained by Dawn Johnston at Boisdale. Dr Santiago, trained by Judy McMahon at Darriman, finished third and will be an emergency for this Sunday’s final
The first heat was won by Rip Off Roslyn in 25.17s for Elaine Johanssen at Devon Meadows. Aston Balade finished third for Smith, and will be an emergency for the final.
Bill McMahon’s Berdeen took out the third heat in 25.14s.
Continuing the good meeting for the Darriman kennels, Dr Danika won the final heat in 25.51s for Emily McMahon. In second place was Mersey Marvel, trained at Sale by Chris Tilley.
Maxwell won race seven, the 440m mixed grade four and five, for Bill McMahon by three-quarters of a length from Sandy Gem, who flew home for Rosedale trainer John Connor.
The race maiden over 440m was won by Barwidgi, trained by Jenny Gill at Darriman, with All Ford, trained by Brian Alford at Yarram, second ahead of Dr Francisco, trained by Marcus McMahon at Darriman.
Race eight, the 520m mixed grade four and five, was won by Bodhi’s Bro Kai, trained at Nilma North by Ashlee Terry. Victory Chase, trained by Adrian Smit at Longford, was pipped for second place at the finish.
Hook Along Book, trained by David Kerr at Warragul South won the final race of the night, a 520m grade five.
THE affect of rain on the track saw Friday night’s meeting abandoned after three of the 12 scheduled races.
The track had deteriorated in front of the starting boxes.
Tarlee didn’t mind the damp conditions, winning the race one maiden plate for Jenny Gill at Darriman. Tarlee shot to the front out of the box, setting up a six-length victory ahead of Into The River, trained by Gary McMillan at Nambrok.
There was another big win in the race two 440m maiden, with State The Facts, trained by Cheryle Regen at Kilmany, winning by seven lengths. Thanks Forever, trained by Wendy Fasoli at Heyfield, was pipped for second place.
Mechanical issues with the lure following race two saw the rest of the meet delayed.
In race three, the 440m grade seven, Milly’s Last, trained by Yvonne Andrews at Kilmany, opened up a big lead, eventually winning by two and a half lengths, with Retro Rocket, trained by Gavin Burke at Alberton West, taking some ground out of the lead in the home straight.
Greyhound racing continues at Sale this Friday night.
