Stella pleased in early progress of Golden Chase runner

By Josh Spasaro

Already with three wins from five starts, Park Ridge trainer Gregory Stella believes Hayden’s Gift is progressing even faster than his city-class dam, Regal Opal, at this early stage of his career.

The two-year-old dog will start from box three in the $20,000 Golden Chase Straight Final over 350 metres at Q Straight on Thursday.

After saluting by a convincing five-and-a-quarter lengths in his Golden Chase Straight heat, the promising juvenile chaser by Aussie Infrared displayed a gutsy effort to finish second in last Thursday’s semi-final, running 18.85 seconds.

He crossed the line in a very impressive 18.74 seconds in the heat, which included a first sectional track record of 3.81 seconds at Q Straight on February 19.

“He stepped up, which you like to see young dogs do. It’s just natural improvement with experience,” Stella said.

“He was narrowly beaten last week and the dog of Brad Woods (Little House) jumped brilliantly.

“But, he’s been consistent and he’s been beginning well. He’s got his times down to very competitive times. That gives him a chance in the Final.”

This form was enough for Stella to declare Hayden’s Gift was developing even faster than his dam, Regal Opal, at this early stage of his career.

Regal Opal saluted on 16 occasions from 40 starts for Stella, claiming $42,700 in prizemoney.

“Actually, he’s come to hand a bit quicker. She got up over 500 metres, so that remains to be seen,” Stella said.

“But, in saying that, with his box manners, he’s been more consistent at the start of his career than what his mother was.

“That’s always a good sign when they work out the start. It’s one of the most important things in greyhound racing.”

It was these box manners which allowed Hayden’s Gift to break the first sectional track record at The Q two weeks ago.

And, Stella believes jumping from box three will allow Hayden’s Gift to again start well in The Golden Chase Straight Final on Thursday.

“He gets into stride very quickly and that’s about the lane he wants, around lane three,” he said.

“I’m happy with that. He hasn’t had many wide draws, but he’s handled twos and fours. In that running lane at the track, he seems to be suited. I’m happy with that.”

The litter brother of Hayden’s Gift, Regal Saint, will start from box eight in The Golden Chase Straight Final.

He came third in his heat, crossing the line in 19.08 seconds two weeks ago.

“He’s a consistent dog and he tries hard,” Stella said.

“And, I’m happy with the draw. He’s not up to the faster ones in that race. But, we run for luck out there and he seems to handle that alley well.

“We’re hoping to run a place with him. His brother has stepped up a little bit and he’s the faster of the two.”

From box two, Regal Saint won by a length last Thursday, recording a time of 18.99 seconds in the semi-final. 

“He got a nice run, but he did everything right. That was what won him the race,” Stella said.

“The favourite got held up at the start, one of the Hara’s dogs (Hara’s Neo). But, he (Regal Saint) did everything right and got the job done.

“He led last week and it’s hard to see him leading this week. But, I’m happy with him drawn out there.”

Meanwhile, Stella said he was happy with the progress of the other three chasers from the Aussie Infrared and Regal Opal litter.

“Regal Gypsy, we’ve got her in on Friday. She’s in a normal maiden having her first start,” he said.

“And, the other bloke, Regal Ranger, he’s had a few setbacks. But, he’s probably a month away.

“There’s another blue bitch in the litter, the fifth one (Bella Matilda), she won a couple of races at the Straight late last year.

“She’s racing at Rockhampton now.”