Paws of Thunder Review

Paws of Thunder Review

Fancy Will Fires In Paws Final

3 October 2011

Leading trainer Anthony Azzopardi claimed his fourth Group 1 victory at Wentworth Park on Saturday night following Fancy Will’s all-the-way triumph in the Greyhound Recorder Paws Of Thunder (520m).

Lining up from the rails alley in the $100,000 to-the-winner decider, Fancy Will ($7.50) began cleanly from the inside to lead, with Graeme Bate’s Allen Hertz ($9.70) applying pressure from the outset.

Oaks Road ($4.30), one of two runners for Mark Gatt, made a strong run down the back straight and looked all over a winner turning for home, but he failed to secure a clear passage finishing a length second in 30.03s.

There were jubilant scenes at the presentation with Londonderry based Azzopardi declaring the win as the biggest of his career so far.

Fancy Will now sits beside Lilley Criminal, Smooth Fancy and Seek And Destroy as Group 1 winners to stem from the Azzopardi kennel.

“I was very anxious down the back when I saw Oaks Road coming with his run,” Azzopardi said.

“My bloke does his absolute best and he deserved his win tonight.

“We’ll bypass any Topgun ideas and head to the Lismore Cup which looks absolutely ideal for him.

“It’s off to Coonamble tonight and I’m sure there will be plenty of people waiting for us to celebrate.

“I’d like to thank the sponsors (Greyhound Recorder) and the GBOTA for putting on the race – it’s the highlight of my career,” furthered Azzopardi.

Azzopardi dedicated the win to his late friend Michael Pedrana who sadly passed a fortnight ago.

There were few excuses for the beaten brigade with the first three runners past the post really dominating proceedings.

On a wet and blustery night at headquarters the other feature of the evening – The Collerson – went to rank outsider Dana Bel for trainer Rod McDonald.

Beginning cleanly, Dana Bel withstood the late challenge of Mr. Clydesdale to scoop the $10,000 winner’s prize in 30.06s.

Time honors for the night went to the Brendan Wheeler prepared Dyna Iceman who ran away with the Jack Bell Stake in a nippy 29.97s.

Key To Eden continued her impressive distance form, tuning up for next Saturday’s Sydney Cup heats with a strong 42.40s success.

After the placed runners the field finished in the following order Allen Harper ($4.10), Things Missing ($19.10), Noble Pedro ($5.80), Fancy Dean ($4.60) and Dusty Arizona ($31.30).

Fancy Will is Blue Dog whelped January ’09 he is by Where’s Pedro from Sweet Fancy (Brett Lee x Grigorieva). He is raced by the Will Power Syndicate and trained by Anthony Azzopardi the Group 1 Paws Of Thunder win took his record to 32 starts for nine wins and 16 placings and prizemoney earnings of $128,810.

Listed below are the past winners of Paws Of Thunder which was formerly known as the St.Leger and first run in 1957. The NSW NCA restructured the prizemoney and the race name in 2001.        

        

1957 Idle Sign, 1958 Ebony Minda, 1959 Super Samson, 1960 Constant Raider, 1961 Elsie Moss, 1962 Black Top, 1963 Miss Warcroft, 1964 Revival King, 1965 Daily Tide, 1966 Sunset Fire, 1967 Another Glitter, 1968 Zoom Top, 1969 Beau Brin, 1970 Size Seven, 1971 Romantic Top, 1972 Likely Light, 1973 Trella Light, 1974 Busy’s Chief, 1975 Mighty Aussie, 1976 Palaver, 1977 Fine Arama, 1978 Oberon Lily, 1979 Lord Raleigh, 1980 Glider’s Son, 1981 Promises Free, 1982 Winifred Bale, 1983 Winston Lass, 1984 Beach Rhythm 1985 Another Flash, 1986 Memories Gate, 1987 See Yah, 1988 Grizzly Bear, 1989 Jessica Kate, 1990 Dixie Lass, 1991 Little Denver, 1992 Iago, 1993 Leon Mal, 1994 Zazziam, 1995 Nine Inch Nails, 1996 Tamborine Dancer, 1997 Elle’s Commando, 1998 Waiwera Marika, 1999 Stately Bird, 2000 Some Secret, 2001 Suellen Bale, 2002 Modern Assassin, 2003 Winsome Shot, 2004 Kobble Rock 2005 Pure Octane, 2006 Suave Fella, 2007 Leprechaun Pace, 2008 One Tree Hill, 2009 Cindeen Shelby and 2010 Lochinvar Marlow.