Unison Headed For The Black Top

By Jeff Collerson
Unison will tackle the group 2 Black Top heats at LADBROKES GARDENS after scoring his fourth win in five Wentworth Park starts on Saturday night.

The Michelle Sultana-trained speedster forged to the lead coming to the first turn and came away to win by just over four lengths in a slick 29.73s, posting a smart second split of 13.80s and running home in a strong 11.80s.

"I knew Saturday night's race was going to be Unison's biggest test because Forners Flame, who had box one, is a good bitch with plenty of early pace and my dog was going to have to get around her early if he was to win,'' Sultana said.

"When Unison's owner Chris Brydon was training the dog, he trialled him many times around LADBROKES GARDENS so the greyhound goes well there.

"I plan to take Unison back to The Gardens to give the dog another trial this weekend and all being well he will be in the Black Top heats on August 21.''


Blue Bronte's win at LADBROKES GARDENS on Friday had special significance for trainer John Miles as it enabled his bonny bitch to match identically the racecourse record of her dam, the Miles-trained Blue Thunda.

"When Blue Bronte won on Friday it took her tally to 18 wins from 23 starts, exactly the same as what her mother Blue Thunda achieved.

"But Blue Thunda was unable to enhance her strike rate because she fractured a hock and was retired to stud.

"So Blue Bronte, who has had 12 wins and a second from her past 15 races, should wind up with an even better record than her dam.

"She is going around again in a 388m race at Gosford on Tuesday night.

"Blue Thunda has been mated twice since Blue Bronte was born, and has four pups, eight months old, sired by Barcia Bale.

"And she looks to be in pup again, this time to Fernando Bale.''

It's a photo finish as to whether Blue Bronte or Michelle Sultana's marvelous Unison is Sydney's most consistent sprinter.

When Unison charged to an early lead before scoring a runaway win over 520m at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, he lifted his strike rate to a remarkable 11 wins and three seconds from his past 14 starts.


Cosmic Bonus, who took out the 2018 Masters Meteor final on Million Dollar Chase final night at Wentworth Park, could be ready to Chase a second victory in the year's biggest event for veteran greyhounds.

If he lines up for this year's final in October, Cosmic Bonus will be tackling his third Masters Meteor, as he finished fifth to Blabba Mouth in the 2019 event at Wentworth Park.

"Cosmic Bonus split the bottom part of his back leg muscle at his most recent race at Casino on July 23,'' owner-trainer Evelyn Harris said.

"But by the time I got him home to Grafton the leg had not filled with blood and that is a good sign, so hopefully he will be ready to go again in time for another crack at the big Masters race.''

Veteran owner-trainer-breeders Evelyn and Len Harris show no signs of cutting back on their workload as they are currently rearing 29 puppies under the age of 12 months on their property.

Cosmic Bonus has earned over $407,000 and has so far compiled the hard to match record of 72 wins and 42 placings from 147 races.