"She's such a bully isn't she" exclaimed owner Tracey Hurst after her greyhound Good Odds Cash, trained by husband Frank, bullocked her way to victory in Saturday night's Ladbrokes National Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park.
The winner of the 2021 NSW Sprint Championship, Good Odds Cash was robbed of a chance to win last year's National final when Covid forced cancellation of the event.
She secured a berth in this year's National final through wild card status but produced a remarkably tenacious chasing performance to win Saturday's run-off by a head from favourite Simply Limelight, who had won the 2022 NSW Sprint title.
On Saturday Tasmania's McInerney ran the race of his life to finish third, just over a length behind the winner, who covered the 520m in 29.79.
While Good Odds Cash almost certainly won by pinging the lids and clocking a 5.45 first split, she was joined on the first corner by McInerney, out wide, and soon after by Simply Limelight who pushed up along the rails.
The trio staged a thrilling duel in the middle stages and raced three abreast to near the home bend, where Simply Limelight put his head in front.
But Good Odds Cash went to the line best to steal victory from Simply Limelight in the last bound.
The winner's owner Tracey Hurst said: "Simply Limelight headed Good Odds Cash on the home turn but our bitch would not give in.
"Good Odds Cash was sandwiched between McInerney and Simply Limelight down the back straight so it was a tough win.''
David Smith's hot favourite Super Estrella gave NSW a National Championships clean sweep when she led all the way to win the 720m Distance final by over two lengths in a slick 41.59.
Super Estrella looked threatened on the back straight when WA representative Tsar Bell began to close on her, but Smith's bitch drew away when it mattered, with Victoria's Moraine Suzie a third third, over five lengths away.
Super Estrella's win gave 42-year-old Smith his first group race success, long overdue as he has had a string of big race finalists.
"I think I've had seven group finalists including group one placegetters so it's great to finally break through,'' Smith said after Saturday's race.
"Super Estrella jumped well but maybe not as fast as she did when she won the NSW Distance Championship at Wenty on August 11, although from behind the boxes it's hard to see the actual start.
"But I was relieved when I saw my bitch dash clear around the first turn.''
In Saturday's other 720m event, Grafton visitor Pocket Money led throughout for trainer Dave Irwin, but gave her supporters a fright after setting up a massive early lead before almost being caught by runner-up Stagger Out Lee near the home bend.
Pocket Money was eight lengths in front on the back straight but seemed to shorten stride approaching the home bend before regaining momentum in the straight to win by a head in a tidy 42.07
After the race trainer Dave Irwin said: "Pocket Money is at strong stayer so I was surprised when Stagger Out Lee looked as if she was going to run past her in the straight.
"Pocket Money cramped up a bit and I'm certain that's why the other greyhound nearly got to her before Pocket Money kicked back to win.''
