Laurels Review 2011
Stunning Stetson
30 December 2011
Peter Dundon’s dream start to his training career continued at Sandown Park tonight when exciting youngster Stetson Donna led all the way to win the Group 2 Macro Meats Laurels Classic.
Dundon, who only started training in April, was confident of his charge’s chances ahead of the $50,000 to-the-winner final, and that confidence was justified when Stetson Donna ($7.90) began brilliantly from box 3 to lead through the first turn ahead of Witch’s Potion ($20.90) and Take Me Home ($19.30).
Down the back straight, the trio cleared away from the pack headed by odds on favourite Irma Bale ($1.70) who railed strongly through the first turn after blowing the start.
The daughter of Premier Style and Silent Flower maintained the margin to her rivals in the run to the line to claim the Group 2 title by 2.75 lengths in a slick 29.54 seconds.In a blanket finish for the minor placings, Take Me Home railed strongly to finish second a neck ahead of Witch’s Potion, who held off the fast finishing Irma Bale by a nose.
But it was all honours to Stetson Donna and to trainer Peter Dundon, whose family made the trek from Finley to share in Peter’s achievement.
“The prestige of just being in the Laurels was enough for me,” said Dundon.
“I am so proud of my little greyhound, she’s just magic. If she had of come last it wouldn’t have worried me, just being here is a thrill.”
“My wife (Annie) was so excited I thought she was going to have a heart attack – she gets more excited than I do!”
Stetson Donna had finished second on six occasions before finally breaking her maiden status at start number 10. Since joining the winner’s list, Stetson Donna has won six consecutive races, all of which have come in the city.
“She is a brilliant beginner and she has got that burst at the end. She’s just so consistent at the moment and she’s only 21 months old, so for a greyhound of her age she’s going really well.”
The win also capped a difficult week for breeder, Donna Sadler, after whom Stetson Donna is named. Sadler began her breeding operation in 2006 with her mother, Lois, who sadly passed away a week prior to the Final.
“It was a dream of hers to have a runner in the Laurels and I’m sure that she’s been helping me tonight. I’d like to extend my condolences to the entire family, and thank Donna and her family for all her help,” said Dundon.
The win took Stetson Donna’s career prizemoney to $74,805 from just 14 starts, and she will now be set for tilt at the upcoming Cranbourne and Warragul Cups.
First run in 1964, the Macro Meats Laurels is Victoria’s premier race for young female greyhounds, and boasts icons of the sport including Australian Greyhound Racing Association Hall of Fame members Winifred Bale, Sandi’s Me Mum and Paua To Burn on its honour roll.
After the placed runners the field finished in the following order 4
th Irma Bale ($1.70), 5
th Elmira Bale ($6.70), 6
th Mystery Pink ($6.70), 7
th By Starlight ($11.10) and Dyna Dara ($9.50).
Stetson Donna is raced and trained by Peter Dundon at Finley in New South Wales, she is a Black bitch whelped March 2010 by Premier Style from Silent Flower (Go Wild Teddy x Ashlee Jeannine). Stetson Donna has won six and been placed six times from her 14 starts and with the $50,000 first prize for the Laurels it took her current stake earnings to $74,805.
Recognized Australia wide as the pinnacle age restricted bitches classic the Laurels was first conducted by the Sandown Club in 1964 when won by Tara Princess. It is a very much sought after Group 1 event with the winner usually acknowledged as a very valuable brood bitch as well as most carve out a successful race career. It has also been proven over the years that most of the finalists are bitches that produce when they go to stud and some have become house hold names after producing some of the superstars of the sport.
The Classic has found some outstanding winners over the years none the least 1965 champ Cheltenham Lass who later in her career was runner up and won a Melbourne Cup as well as runner up in an Australian Cup. Odious who went on to win an Australian Cup in 1976, Carrington Jade won a Melbourne Cup in 1976. Cavalier Queen won the Adelaide Cup in 1977. Paua To Burn won the 2005 Easter Egg and 2004/ 2005 Group 1 Sapphire Crown. Plus two other winners are Hall of Fame superstars Winifred Bale and Sandi’s Me Mum. The race will now continue to be staged in December after a revamp of the AGRA Group Race calendar commenced in July 2010 it considered a better age time for the young bitches and it will also coincide with the running of the Silver Chief for the same aged dog pups. Listed below is the Laurels Classic Honour roll highlighted by so many stars that enjoyed outstanding careers.
1964
Tara Princess, 1965
Cheltenham Lass, 1966
Ever Present, 1967
Magic Fuel, 1968
Enapetic, 1969
Watch A Flash, 1970
La Rate, 1971
Lady Of Rome, 1972
Blackliner, 1973
Crete, 1974
Vibrant Lass, 1975
Odious, 1976
Carrington Jade, 1977
Cavalier Queen, 1978
Debbie’s Wood, 1979
Jewel Of All, 1980
Sharonlee Girl, 1981
Sarah Kuda, 1982
Winifred Bale, 1983
Wee Rua, 1984
Select Girl, 1985
Little Nola, 1986
Autumn Leaf, 1987
Playgirl Bonnie, 1988
Dancing Vixen, 1989
Sandi’s Me Mum, 1990
Witchery, 1991
Barb’s Tune, 1992
To Perfection, 1993
Suzy Also, 1994
Victorious Road, 1995
Little Promise, 1996
Hanson Kelly, 1997
Moonambel Gem, 1998
Chersam Honcho, 1999
Labyrinth, 2000
Creative Whisky, 2001
Hail A Harley, 2002
Katella Bale, 2003
Dance Portrait, 2004
Paua To Burn, 2005
Maureen Shirly, 2006
Pure Burst, 2007
Miss Hot Gossip, 2008
Hybrid Theory, 2009
Boozeroo and 2010
C’est La Vie
(June) and
Up And away (December).
| For more information please contact: Neil Brown GCA Publicity Officer Tel: 03 97691234 Mob: 0423 129 950 nbrown@agra.com.au |
David Simonette GCA Executive Officer simonette7862@gmail.com |
