David Braithwaite
KEN’S Crew held off the Darriman brigade to win the 440 metre maiden final at the Sale greyhounds on Sunday night.
The dog, trained by Chris Watson at Drouin West, got the best of the start, before holding on to win by half a length from the fast-finishing Dr Santiago, trained by Judy McMahon, and Barwidgi, trained by Jenny Gill.
It was another good meeting for the McMahon family, which trained three winners.
Zachary won the 440m mixed grade six and seven for Bill McMahon by seven lengths after rocketing away on the bend. Zachary has been in the placings in each of his five starts, including two wins.
Floats Alone, trained by Des Douch at Maffra, finished second, with Louranda third for Darren Watts at Maffra.
Bill had another winner in the 440m grade five, when Maxwell avoided trouble towards the end of the back straight to move to the lead and claim victory by four lengths.
Duke Of Airly, trained by Bruce Russell at Sale finished second, with the tote paying out $14.10 for the place.
Dr Danika, trained by Emily McMahon, took out the 440m race restricted to dogs with one to three wins. Paying $33.30 at the tote, Dr Danika was served well by her run along the rail, winning ahead of Kim McMahon’s Dr Macie.
Just Burning, trained by Yvonne Andrews at Kilmany, led from start to finish in the 520m mixed grade four and five.
Airly Spence, trained by Kym Russell at Sale, held on to second place in a photo finish, with the tote paying $15.10 for the placing.
In the first of two heats for the 440m series restricted to dogs with three to six wins, Omega Dodge won for Barry Harper at Seaspray. Aston Frigate (for Gary McMillan at Nambrok), Dr Lynch (Ronald Winter at Denison) and Formidable (Matt Clark at Briagolong) also qualified for next Sunday’s final with top four finishes.
Liquid Fire, trained at Pearcedale by Andrew Paraskevas, was the fastest heat winner – a fifth victory from six career starts. Also into the final are third place-getter Airly Pablo, trained by Lesley Russell at Sale, and Stormcast, who came fourth for Wendy Fasoli at Heyfield.
The night began with Taylor’s Jewel, trained by Kerry Houlahan at Lang Lang, taking out a 440m maiden. In second was Meg Rose, trained by Dawn Johnston at Boisdale.
Dancing Cassie, trained by Gavin Clifton at Tynong North, won the race two 440m maiden, with Dr Perry second for Marcus McMahon at Darriman, and Indy’s Happy, trained by Leigh Jennings at Maffra.
Ripplebrook Rory won the night’s final race, a 440m mixed grade four and five, for Glynn Wood at Warragul.
Greyhound racing will continue at Sale on Friday night.