A massive 14 races were set for decision at Goulburn on Saturday afternoon, and 108 hounds went to the boxes on a day when GRNSW’s Country Challenge came to town.
Of the 108, three were sons of Sophie’s Belle, each from the successful Matic kennel.
Their short trip to Goulburn is a common happening but rarely have they left Canyonleigh with three in the car and returned home with a perfect record.
The first of the Sophie’s Belle progeny stepped out in race five.
A specialist on one-turn tracks, Fact Or Fantasy was drawn against the quality of Clark No Ee, Fine Thought - a cracking 25.53 winner at the track seven days earlier - and the highly credentialed Last Man Out.
Despite facing a seemingly impossible essay, Fact Or Fantasy began smartly from box six and, after trailing Fine Thought to the home turn, finished best to score by a neck in 25.92.
Fine Thought was also overhauled by runner-up Brady’s Wish in the latter stages with Last Man Out and Clark No Ee following them in.
The second of the Matic contenders – youngster Lorne Bowler – had the advantage of box one in race nine but his exuberance nearly cost the black dog dearly.
“Goulburn’s 457m start is on a bit of a corner, it’s deceptive,” Ruth Matic said.
“Lorne Bowler began quickly and dived to the rails but he needed to shift out otherwise he would have crashed into it.
“That made him cannon into Magnifique and it was some sort of collision.
“He’s just under 39 kilos and Magnifique is just over 38kgs … fortunately for us, he maintained momentum and went after leader Shiney.”
In the run home, Lorne Bowler drew to the lead and came on to score by 2 1/2 lengths in 25.85. Handy enough time but well shy of his previous best at the track (25.55).
And in the following race, Shamus O’Shaw – a litter brother to Fact Or Fantasy – began smartly from the suitable six alley and was untroubled to score in 25.84.
Goulburn’s Country Challenge Final boasts Katie’s Tears as the fastest heat winner at 25.41. She dominated from box eight, while dominant Country Challenge pointscore leader Mighty Albert fell at the first turn and let’s hope he comes though the tumble unscathed.
Saturday’s Final provides a real challenge for ‘team Matic’ given Katie’s Tears advantage on the clock but the Canyonleigh folk have the numbers.
Pawnote: Sophie’s Belle had another two winners at Nowra on Friday night (non-TAB) with Bit Rich and Sister Clements – both from Lorne Bowler’s litter.