Maitland Cup 2011 Review
Elite Blue Size Conjures Up More Maitland Magic
6 May 2011
Story Courtesy Adam Dobbin Greyhound Recorder
Reigning Betfair NSW Greyhound Of The Year, Elite Blue Size surpassed $200,000 in stake earnings with a runaway victory in Thursday night?s Group Two J&H Air Conditioning Maitland Cup final (450m).
Heading to Maitland on Thursday night looking to defend his Maitland Cup crown, trainer Reg Kay was brimming with confidence about his charge?s prospects, following Elite Blue Size?s best of day (25.10s) heat triumph the week prior.
Exiting box eight in Thursday night?s $30,000-to-the-winner finale, Elite Blue Size ($1.90) didn?t take long to get into stride, assuming the lead after only a handful of strides following a brief battle with Bralyn County.
Emerging youngster Fancy Dean ($7.80) chased valiantly to finish second, but was no match for Elite Blue Size who won on the wire by 1½ lengths in 25.07s.
Trainer Reg Kay, who nabbed a double on Maitland Cup night with Pure Lee Fooling successful earlier in the program, was understandably delighted when contacted on Friday.
“Marvellous to travel back and win another Maitland Cup,” enthused Kay.
“His form might not show it but I think he?s going as good now as he ever has. His racing pattern hasn?t been suited to the way Albion Park is playing at the moment and he definitely liked returning to Maitland.
“He may have lost a little zip at the start but he?s definitely finishing off that bit better.
“I really want to thank Kayla (Spliet) at Maitland and everyone there for making me feel so welcome; they really have a soft spot for the blue dog.
“Winning the Rocky Ridge Farm trophy with the bitch (Pure Lee Fooling) was great as well. I want to thank „Cousin? Sam for all his help.”
In annexing the Maitland Cup, Elite Blue Size made it win number 32 from just the 51 starts.
On an exciting night?s racing, the thrilling finish of the night came in the Good Guys Middle Distance Championship where Do That grabbed Fully Chic on the line to win by a nose.
Do That kept her terrific Maitland record intact with the 31.81s victory, claiming the $5,000 winner?s purse in the process.
The Maitland Mercury Consolation went to the Jason Mackay-trained Big Bunga, posting 25.13s in his all-the-way win.
After the placings the field finished in the following order 4th Bralyn County ($5.80), 5th Diddy Rose ($33.60), 6th Black Rogue ($33.10) 7th Bralyn Midge ($15.30) and Dusty Arizona ($16.40).
Elite Blue Size is raced by Julie Edmondson and trained by Reg Kay he is a Blue dog whelped February 2008 by Elite State from Size „Em Up (Shape Shifter x Queen Size). Elite Blue Size has won 32 of his 52 starts and has been placed on 10 occasions and his current stake earnings stand at $248,886.
The Maitland Cup was first run in 2003 and was awarded Group 3 status, paying $12,000 to the winner. Due to track conversion the race was not conducted in 2004, but every year it has been run it has been supported by the Maitland Supporters Club and in 2005 and 2006 the Maitland Branch of the GBOTA has joined the Supporters Club as co-sponsors.
Maitland 457m – Grass Track Thread Prince 26.72, 2004 Track Conversion – not conducted, Maitland 450m – Loam Track 2005 Whatuira Banner 25.46, 2006 Needa Mint 25.62, 2007 Run The Risk 25.09, 2008 Awesome Hustler 25.43, 2009 Magnifique 25.14, 2010 Elite Blue Size 24.93.
| 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 |
