By Isaac Murphy
Thursday night’s card at Albion Park produced wins for local favourites, first time trainers an interstate raider and a Brisbane Cup aspirant in a competitive night of racing.
Kulu Jasper for Kim Gooding shone running down a game Codrington Kid in the Grade 4 seventh on his return to Albion Park on the back of a placing behind Million Dollar Chase winner Snug at Lismore, Gooding happy to have his charge back home.
“I was pretty confident bringing him back here down in grade and drawing the red, I’ll take that any day,” Gooding said.
“He got held up there going round the corner and got pushed back to third, but I knew he would be strong late and he ran good time (29.84) as well.”
“We’re going to build him up and have a go at the Cup (Brisbane Cup) up here.”
Magic Hornet came into race eight over the 600 in great form coming off a 29.78 win over the 520 last week and the rise in distance proved no trouble at all with a wire to wire victory in a humming 34.83.
Burman well aware his bitch was amidst a purple patch was coy on potential target races.
“While she’s going like she is we’ll just pick around the five and six hundred’s I don’t think she’s quite ready for the 710,” he said.
“I’ve got eyes on a few races but as soon as you look to far ahead you’re out of luck.”
Local favourite Bubble Guppy made it three out of his last four in a typical gritty performance staving off Wise Misty by a neck, trainer Tony Apap still going strong with the four year old.
“He keeps giving everything every week, I’ve had a lot of dogs and it’s hard to find one who chases better than him,” he said.
“I don’t want to travel him at his stage, he’ll tell me when he’s had enough but as long as he keeps going well we’ll put him in.”
Pendita defied her veteran status in the Masters, going 30.15 just four tenths of a second off her best time in start number sixty, trainer Max Wells rapt with his sprinter’s ongoing success.
“She’s the best railer in the world that’s been the trouble drawing the eight the last couple of weeks, she went 28 starts without getting the one box with her so she was well due for an inside draw,” Wells said.
“That’s her tenth win now with sixteen placings and about $35000 in prize money so there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Northern Rivers trainer Dean Turley continued his good run of form North of the border with Sonic Thunder leading all the way in the Grade 5 fifth.
Turley said he always knew his sprinter was a shot when he drew the pinkand was enjoying racing at Albion.
“The secret is he likes it wide, he drew the eight where he’s always a chance and when he gets in front there’s not much that can run him down,” he said.
“I like to bring a few dogs up to give them a bit of a test, it makes it all worth it when you jag a win.”
Pittsburgh Phil came from the clouds for Glenn Smith in the sixth, the consistent greyhound finally getting reward for effort with the eye catching win.
“That was a bit of a surprise, he was too far back to win at the 600 boxes and even though he came home strong last week I thought he was gone,” Smith said
“I think we’re very close to having to step him up to the 600, he’s the hardest chaser of his litter he just can’t seem to draw a box and keep out of trouble.”
The first two races on the card finished with feel good results.
Wazza Who making it win number two at start fifty five flashing late to grab them, finally winning his Novice.
Race two marked young trainer Dylan Thirtle’s first Thursday night winner in what was an easy watch for the trainer as Kalani Karl cleared out to win comfortably.