David Braithwaite
IT took a track record to beat Catch The Thief in the group two Shepparton Cup final on Saturday night.
The locally-owned greyhound, trained by Jason Thompson at Pearcedale, finished second to Flying Ferdinand Boy by almost one and a half lengths.
The winner ran the 450 metre race in 25.75 seconds, eclipsing the 24.77s track record Hard Style Rico ran in the heats on the way to winning last year’s cup.
Dogs trained by Bill McMahon at Darriman finished second and third in the 400m grade five final at Warragul on Saturday night.
Zachary was passed by kennelmate Dr Madison late to claim second place. Zachary had followed eventual winner Hear The Drum for much of the race.
MAFFRA trainer Des Douch began and ended Wednesday’s meeting at The Meadows with wins. Following a third placing at the track seven days earlier, Double Dipping won over 600m, while Eilish, coming off a third placing at Sale last week, won a 545m grade five.
Denison trainer Ronald Winter won the opening two races at Cranbourne that night. Jaxson Mino won a 311m maiden, and Molly’s Lass a 311m grade seven, giving her two wins from five starts.
PORTELLI Punk won a 400m grade five at Warragul on Tuesday night for Ray Floyd at Cobains.
Portelli Punk won by a nose from Soda Prince, trained by Lyn Smith at Nambrok.
The race was between the pair, with a late lunge giving Portelli Punk the victory.
After a second placing at Sale last week, Turbulence, trained by Chris Tilley at Sale, won a 460m maiden.
Wigram Road, trained by Cheryle Ragen at Kilmany, surged home to win a 400m mixed grade six and seven.
Milly’s Last, trained by Yvonne Andrews at Kilmany and who led into the home straight, finished third.
Dr Knuckles, trained by Bill McMahon, won a 400m grade five.
AKINA Harley, trained by Phillip Rowley at Denison, won a 520m grade five at Cranbourne on Monday.
After finishing third last start at the same track, Akina Harley snuck up behind the leaders and went to the front in the home straight, winning by two lengths.
On the same program, Voodoo Spirit won a 311m maiden for Gavin Burke at Alberton West.
LAST Friday at Healesville, No Tickles, trained by Donald Rhodes at Heyfield, won a 300m grade five, while Audacious Leila, trained by Diane Wainwright at Rosedale, won a 350m maiden.
THERE will be greyhound racing at Sale on Sunday night, with the first of 12 races from 5.49pm.
