GREYHOUNDS: Nine races were conducted at Dawson Park on Saturday afternoon with the highlight being a double to Orange trainer Barry Coyte.
With owner Johnny Harvey in tow, Coyte scored with the well boxed Ophir Gem as well as Sweeny.
In the Winning Edge Laser Stakes (313m) from box one, Ophir Gem ($2.50) began on terms with the field but then displayed plenty of dash along the “dulux” to race away to register an 18.31s win.
The double was completed in the pacific Flow Technology Stakes (516m) when Sweeny posted a personal best time of 30.26s to score a relatively easy victory starting at $3.50.
The opening event was the Blues Meats Maiden (400m), won in impressive fashion by Wes McDonald-trained Awesome Vintage ($2.00 fav) who sped over the golden loam in a slick 23.29s.
Awesome Wishes was only having his second race start so the future looks bright for this Whisky Asassin x Princess Honcho youngster.
Two heats of the Spring Short Course were staged.
In heat one, the Alf Vella trained Lee’s Surprise ($6.00) bounced smartly from the boxes to lead early and give nothing else a chance, winning by eight lengths in a smart 18.36s. The minor place getters were Five Pens at $4.00 and Country Gem, the $2.50 favourite.
Heat two went to the Rob Harrison trained Foxy Min ($3.50) who took full advantage of the rails draw to lead all the way in 18.57s. Completing the minor placings were True Burg ($4.00) and Diesel Spill ($3.50).
Two small but select top-grade fields contested races over the 400m and 313m distances.
Heavily backed $1.30 favourite Fifield Lass continued on her merry way for club president Bryan Maxwell in the Dubbo Vet Hospital Stakes (313m) with a determined victory over Black Cargo in a slick 18.16s.
Fifield Lass has now won 13 of her 21 starts and will now be set for the Canberra Cannonball on Sunday.
Black Cargo’s run was an eye catcher and a win isn’t too far away.
Mandrake ($3.00) made his return in the main 400m event (the BBE and LH Greyhound Supplies Stakes) and while gallant in defeat, found his kennelmate Play Cards Now ($2.50) a little too good on the day. The $1.80 favourite Awesome Wishes finished three lengths from the winner in third place.
Play Cards Now set the win up with a slashing early split of 9.17s which was a tad too tough for the “old timer’ to reel him in. But his run was full of merit and trainer Rob Sharp was delighted with the efforts of both his kennel representatives.
Dubbo trainer Butch Smith was on good terms with himself after Atomic Girl ($3.50) produced a career-best effort to upset the favourites in the Ausure Stakes over 400m.
Atomic Girl stopped the clock at a slippery 23.10s which delighted the greyhound educator.
“Yeah, she is just about back to her best form. She won her maiden here over the 500 in 30.40 and since then we have had problem after problem,” Smith said.
“But today she showed what she can do. I am keen to get her to Wenty, and who knows she might just sneak a nice little fifth grade down there.”
In the Blue Paws Sprint Stakes (400m), Create A Havoc ($5.00) was up to the task for Jan Steel leading all the way to score in a handy 23.40s.
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