A STUNNING all-the-way win by Zuma Creek in last Friday’s 512 metre Australia Day Open at Tara Raceway has Mortlake greyhound trainer Peter Crawley now setting his sights on the forthcoming Group Listed Mount Gambier Cup.
Lining up from box one on the back of a second placing in a quick personal time of 25.20 seconds over 450 metres at Warrnambool a week prior, the black dog defeated last year’s greyhound of the year Fiorelli Rose by seven-and-a-half lengths in a quick 29.66 seconds.
The time was a personal best for the track specialist – nine wins from 18 starts at the track and distance – and the fastest time at Tara Raceway since October 8 last year when Cryer’s Plugger clocked 29.64 seconds before changing kennels.
By Fabregas out of six-race winner Skye Creek – also trained by Crawley – Zuma Creek was bred and is owned at Purnim by Danny Kelly and continues a long and successful association between owner and trainer.
“Zuma Creek had never won from box one before,” Crawley said.
“But I thought he looked really good Friday.
“He’s certainly never been racing better and we now look forward to the cup heats on Sunday, March 11.”
And he will hop for better luck in this year’s cup after his resilient chaser Fluke Of Fantasy defeated Danyo’s Frank in 29.96 seconds in a heat of the 2016 Mount Gambier Cup before finishing unplaced in the final at start number 95 behind Mojito Mayhem.
Earlier on Friday, Kelly and Crawley combined to win the 512 metre Laser Electrical Maiden Stake, with Zuma Creek’s half-brother Bomber Creek (by Magic Sprite).
Jumping a short-priced favourite on the strength of a promising effort at Warrnambool at his previous start, he was only fairly away from box five, but quickly worked into second spot behind tearaway leader Dimora Flash.
However, by mid-race Bomber Creek had railed through to take the lead, ultimately running away to a seven-and-a-half length winning margin in a quick time of 29.97 seconds.
This was in fact the quickest maiden time recorded at Tara Raceway since Spider Whitehead’s Sophie’s Moment ran 29.90 seconds in June last year.
For the December 2015 black dog, the win came at his seventh race start with Crawley more than happy to see him now starting to live up to his early promise.
“Danny sent him to me after breaking-in with a report that he had the makings of a handy dog,” he said.
“Going on this win he could well be on the money.”
Weis’ entry form mistake pays off
PORTLAND trainer Brian Weis opted for the bright lights and big bucks at The Meadows on Friday night with Xtreme Notice.
He called on Mount Gambier’s Noel Perry and Scott Blacksell from Cape Bridgewater to help him out with litter-mates Xtreme Purpose and Xtreme Caution at Tara Raceway’s afternoon meeting.
To be honest, Perry and Blacksell were in their element, especially after box eight runner Xtreme Purpose, having her first start on the track, overcame trouble on the first turn to eventually wear down Derivation to win the 512 metre Gambier Vets Stake by a half length in 30.54 seconds.
However, the defacto handlers claimed they faced an uphill battle in the 400 metre Produce Store Stake with Xtreme Caution considering it was the black dog’s first run over the short course – the trainer, allegedly, making a mistake on his nomination form when ticking the 400 metre box instead of 512.
Weis will probably claim it was a stroke of genius.
Xtreme Caution, despite drawn poorly in box five, quickly settled in second spot behind Tiger Bite Turbo, finishing too strongly in the home straight to win by three-quarters of a length in 23.34 seconds.
For Weis, the double continued the terrific run he is having with five members of the Barcia Bale x Xtreme Gretel litter.
All owned by Wagga breeder Matt Morris, Xtreme Carnage, Xtreme Caution, Xtreme Notice, Xtreme Purpose and Xtreme Rush have now collectively won 25 races.
And while he took in the bright lights at The Meadows on Friday night he came home without the big bucks, with Xtreme Notice jumping well from box seven in the $12,000 grade five final over 525 metres, before just failing to cross the field and eventually finishing fifth.
But earlier, at Tara Raceway on a warm and sunny afternoon, there was plenty of good cheer as Perry and Blacksell flew the flag for Weis and celebrated in his absence with a double on Australia Day.
