Warrnambool Cup – Classic Review 2011
Arsonist scorches course to clinch sizzling cup win
6 May 2011
By Andrew Thomson, THE WARRNAMBOOL STANDARD
There has probably never been a more deserving greyhound win the $45,000 Norlane Hotel Warrnambool Cup (450m) then Arsonist, which torched her rivals last night.
The fawn bitch ignited on box rise to blaze to the lead in the cup and when there was a little bit of interference on the first corner she set up a winning break.
Arsonist has now had 10 starts around the Wannon Park horse-shoe circuit for nine wins and a second.
Her only non-winning run was when she finished second in last year’s Warrnambool Cup behind Nova Surf.
Owner Nathan Rooney led the cheering from a healthy support crew as his star chaser landed her first group win.
Rooney especially thanked Lara trainer Heather Collins and her husband Steve after the group 2 success.
He said Arsonist broke in all right as a youngster but he was stunned just how far she had coming during a thrilling race career.
“What Heather and Steve have been able to do with her is really phenomenal.
They’ve also managed to get her back on track in the past few weeks after a wrist injury sustained in the Australian Cup series,” he said.
“She was set for this race and everything from the box draw to the race itself went to plan. She’s only just turned three-year-old and hopefully there’s a few more wins in store,” he said.
Arsonist previously finished runner-up in the group 1 Maturity Classic and was a finalist in both the group one National Sprint Championship and the group 1 Laurels.
She was well supported last night and started a surprising favourite ahead of boom sprinter Aston Galilee because of her abundant early pace and favourable draw.
After a moderate start Arsonist was able to explode to the lead from box two, while Aston Galilee from seven got into untold trouble in the run to the first turn.
The Andrea Dailly-trained Dyna Tron (box three) followed Arsonist.
But he checked off her heels on the first turn and with Proven Que Tee swooping from box eight there was some interference and then no chance of anything being able to run down the leader, which clocked 25.22 seconds.
Arsonist ($2.90) won by 2.5 lengths from Proven Que Tee ($23) with the Graeme Bate-trained veteran Hayder Bale ($7.00) another two lengths away third.
Aston Galilee finished near the tail of the field.
After the placings the field finished in the following order 4th Finbar McCool ($14.40), 5th Yarra Wood ($13.90), 6th Lektra Express ($15.70) 7th Aston Galilee ($3.00) & Dyna Tron ($8.60).
Arsonist is a fawn bitch whelped April 2008 by Elite State from Flickering Lady (Fortified Speed x Goddess of Fire). She is raced by Nathan Rooney and trained by Heather Collins at Lara in Victoria. She has raced on 46 occasions for 22 wins and nine placings. The $30,000 first prize for the Cup took her over stake earnings to $145,430.
Listed below are the past winners of the Warrnambool Cup it is believed the Cup was conducted on the old Warrnambool track as far back as 1961 but records since 1972 show that many a top performer has won the feature event over the years.
1972 Tien Shan, 1973 Natural Power, 1974 Uba Lass, 1975 Sylvan Prince, 1976 Busy Penny, 1977 Tem Dasher, 1978 Roisheen’s Son, 1979 Imaturner, 1980 Tempix, 1981 Kuda’s Talent, 1982 So Blue, 1983 Lady Lilly, 1984 Super Mira, 1985 Kilmarney Lad, 1986 Larrikin Lewis, 1987 McWilliam Boy, 1988 High In Space, 1989 Gun Fury, 1990 Hard Rain, 1991 McGuane, 1992 Bomber Gleeson, 1993 Nova Express, 1994 Fitzroy Express, 1995 Midnight Flirt, 1996 Morrant, 1997 Another Currency, 1998 Macorna Lad, 1999 Honcho Classic, 2000 Kantarn Bale, 2001 Sweet Silkab, 2002 Kantarn Bale, 2003 Francesca Bale, 2004 Harvey Bale 2005 Sun Hero, 2006 Brilliant Lee, 2007 Axe Handle 2008 El Galo, 2009 Hanify’s Impact and 2010 Nova Surf
Compacto supremo in classic win
Sale kennel foreman Ray Gilmore received the perfect birthday present last night when his talented greyhound sprinter Compacto stormed home to win the $60,000 Macey’s Bistro Warrnambool Classic (450m) in the very last stride.
Favourite Compacto began well from box seven but was led by Laang speedster Southwood Chief early.
Heading through the first corner Compacto seemed to get unbalanced, allowing the John Drennan-trained leader to slip away to a four-length break on the home turn.
Compacto was able to balance up down the home straight and flashed home, hitting the finish line locked together with Southwood Chief.
Compacto [7] flew home to pinch the lead from Southwood Chief [6] right on the finish line.
The Sale greyhound got the nod from the judge by just a head to take home the $50,000 winner’s cheque. Southwood Chief ($23.60) collected $17,000 for second with the Darren McDonald-trained Lacomare ($7.20) pocketing $8500 after flashing home for third a further two lengths away.
For Gilmore it was an emotional birthday present. He was shy about revealing just how old he is but he and trainer Judith Risk are both into their 70s.
Gilmore said the training duo had a finalist in the classic last year, but they drove to Warrnambool last night a lot more confident.
“This dog is quicker than the other bloke. He’s a pretty good dog,” he said.
“We bred and reared him. He’s out of our good brood bitch.
“We’ve come all the way down from Grafton especially for this race the past few weeks. It’s all been well worth it now.”
Gilmore was confident heading into the classic final after his charge draw almost perfectly in box seven. Compacto ($2.60) clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals last week and started a well supported favourite.
Drennan’s Southwood Chief, which is owned locally by the Kenna clan, was desperately unlucky.
He probably led for 449 metres of the 450m race and setting a blistering pace running 6.49 for the first split.
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 |