Courtesy GRAQ Website
MICK WENT FOR WRONG ONE
27 March, 2008.
MICK Menken thought there was no way Hi Ransom could be beaten in a 520m 4th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night.
But Mick’s own dog Stone Cold Sober (Hallucinate-Kalka Kate) soon changed that idea.
Stone Cold Sober surprised even his owner-trainer Menken when he stormed past his kennelmate to win in a flying 30.07 to win by two and a half lengths.
Hi Ransom was second with a length and three-quarters to Ultra Swift in third.
Stone Cold Sober was a dismal failure at his 600m debut a week ago behind Sistermatic.
“He got knocked down early but he has to lead if he is going to win over 600m,” said Menken. “I think he will win over 600m but that will be later on now.”
Menken said he knew Stone Cold Sober would race well, despite the presence of Hi Ransom.
“He galloped sensationally during the week in preparation for this race, right back to his best,” said Mick.
“But I didn’t think he could run better than 30.20 and run down Hi Ransom. But he did.”
Menken is not certain what to do with both dogs.
“I am aiming them for the Qld Derby,” said Menken. “But they will need to have a break before that. But how do I ease them up while they are racing like this.”
Stone Cold Sober has now won 10 races in 29 starts.
“I thought he was a much better dog from the one box than the eight that he had tonight,” said Mick.
“It goes to show you what a good judge I am.”
Many “great” judges in the grandstand thought the same.
ONE-EYED WONDER
26 March, 2008.
TOP owner-trainer Dallas Beckett is hoping Dimple Assassin, the one-eyed wonder of Rockhampton racing, can win him his third Young Star Classic (510m) on Saturday.
The daughter of Whisky Assassin-Spring Vintage has raced five times for four wins and a second.
Dallas has already earmarked her to venture south to be trained by Col Byers in Toowoomba.
He bought the bitch three months ago from NSW breeder Scott Board.
"She spiked her near side eye on some barbed wire when she was eight month old," said Dallas.
"The eye has clouded over but she has some sight in it. Fortunately she is a brilliant beginner."
Dimple Assassin is already a broodbitch potential for Dallas.
"Her dam held a couple of track records around NSW and everything she produces can run," he said.
Beckett is confident his bitch will go close to winning but is amazed at the quality of the local race.
"Unfortunately the club didn't get enough nominations for heats, but the race has brought together a very good field," he said.
"Hanson Opal is a fast beginner and she will be improved by her first run over the 510m."
However, Dallas fears his own dog Maverick Lee who is drawn in the eight box.
"He is quicker out of the boxes than Dimple Assassin, but he is desperate to get to the fence," he said.
"At some stage he will be looking to squeeze up everything inside him."
Beckett has already won the Young Star Classic with Built By Best and Burst Of Speed.
Beckett says he's almost lost count of the number of greyhounds he has at the moment.
His former star sprinting bitch Go Princess has recently whelped a litter of four bitches to Surf Lorian.
And he has huge wraps on a dog and a bitch pup just being educated by young sire Black Lee-Cyanogenic.
"I bought them for $500 from Kev Wisener as pups. They are half brother and sister to Goldina Lass and Oops Sorry who both set a track record at Rockhampton," he said.
"The pups are really looking something."
|