No Donuts emerged as one of the early favourites for next month’s Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic series after his runaway win over the early leader Velvet Flame at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Runner-up to Dyna Villa in the Queensland Derby, No Donuts overcame a slow start to lead going through the catching pen before winning comfortably in 29.82.
No Donuts, who has now won eight of 13 starts, was the only greyhound to break 30 seconds all night, with To A Tee’s 30.09 in running down La Grand Logie in the top grade race the next fastest.
Cy Tolliver, bought as a puppy for only $1500, gave owner Craig Ralphs his first Wentworth Park winner with a last-to-first performance in the Bakels Cheesecake Mix Stakes.
Despite coming out last and racing in the middle of the track throughout, Cy Tolliver emerged from fourth on the back straight to be second turning for home before winning by two lengths.
"I have owned dogs for 16 years and while I have had a couple of winners at The Meadows this is my first Wenty success," Ralphs, a coalminer, said later.
"I bought Cy Tolliver from my best mate, Peter Stanford, who breeds greyhounds at Wallerawang, near Lithgow."
Black Lagoon may also be aimed at the June 6 Peter Mosman Classic heats after his all-the-way win in Saturday night’s Bakels Sticky Date Mix Stakes.
Black Lagoon, a keen railer, drew poorly in box eight but thanks to a brilliant getaway was able to cross to the lead approaching the first turn.
"He crashed slightly towards the rails but he was able to clear them, although he would be better off drawn near the fence," trainer Rodney O’Brien said later.
"Because of Black Lagoon’s early pace and the fact he only turned two last month the Peter Mosman might be a nice option for him."
Trainer Melinda Finn could start Still Searchin’ in the Dapto Oaks heats on May 28 following the greyhound's second Wentworth Park win on Saturday night.
"Still Searchin’ goes well at Dapto but I’m tempted to keep bringing her to Wentworth Park until she gets too far up in grade," Finn said.
Wish Right Now’s all-the-way win in the Bakels Fruit Cake Mix Stakes had special significance for owner-trainer Allen Hansen because he bred the greyhound from his greyhound Miss Phoenix.
"Miss Phoenix was the first Wentworth Park winner I trained so to get another city winner from one of her offspring is great," Hansen commented.
Trainer Mick Traino used a bit of old fashioned greyhound racing psychology to help My Lady Day return to the winning list at Wentworth Park on Friday night.
Despite drawing horribly in box eight, desperate railer My Lady Day began smartly and was able to find the fence, getting underneath pacemaker Devine Vegas approaching the home turn to win easily.
"She can begin but had missed the kick when unplaced from box seven in each of her three previous Wentworth Park starts," Traino explained.
"I knew her only hope of winning on Saturday was to begin quickly so I sacked myself as handler and got a friend, Malcolm Smart, to take her to the boxes.
"I’ve been around greyhounds a long while and sometimes a different handler can help a dog change his or her box manners."
See you next week!
