Maggie Moo Moo making memories on Super Stayers night

By Isaac Murphy

Albion Park erupted as Queensland’s own Maggie Moo Moo put her cape on storming home to win the Group 3 Super Stayers Invitational in an emotion-charged night for her trainer Darren Johnstone.

Johnstone bred the bitch and early on was not even sure if she’d make it as a short course chaser.

But after near misses in the Group 3 Association Cup at Wentworth Park and Group 1 Sandown Cup in Melbourne, Maggie wasn’t going to miss out again, recording a memorable 41.66-second victory.

“This is the biggest night of my training life, from winning restricted win races at Ipswich, to a Sandown Cup Final and now winning her first Group race here on her home track in front of my wife Sue (Johnstone) and I - it’s pretty emotional,” Johnstone said.

“We’ve been scratching our heads the last couple of weeks when she’s run second, she’s been putting herself in good spots and not quite capitalising.

“Even in the four-dog field she just drifted back in the run and I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to raise and effort to beat them, but the feeling seeing her gather them up near the line I’ve had nothing like it.”

As well as Maggie had been travelling, she’d only won the one race at Sandown in the last few months, and this recent win should do wonders for her Group 1 aspirations.

“It couldn’t come at a better time either she’s all about confidence this bitch and having that feeling of going past the post first with the Queensland Cup heats will do her the world of good,” Johnstone said.

“To run 41.66 seconds is huge as well, if we want to be at the pointy end of a Group 1 final in a couple of weeks that’s the kind of time she’s going to need to carve out.

“As special as it’s been seeing her put her name up there as one of the best stayers going around, she did have that stigma of being a bridesmaid, she’s dismissed that tonight.”

Burnt ends courageous in the Chairman’s Cup

A dog sure to challenge Maggie in next week's Queensland Cup heats is Jeff Ahearn’s Burnt Ends, who also scored a timely win in the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club Chairman’s Cup Final over the staying trip.

“Drawn out in the seven last week he didn’t begin like he usually does and found himself a long way back which is something he’s not used to over the 700 metres, we thought it was a really good run to work home the way he did,” kennel representative Donna Pezet said.

“Coming up with the red this week was crucial, he was drawn to lead and managed to get to the front and he’s a tough bugger to get past once he gets there.

“Two 700-metre races leading into the Queensland Cup heats we think he’s as ready as he can be for what’s going to be a really strong heat, hopefully followed by a final the next week.”

Tempest win gives Chandler food for thought

The night also boasted the inaugural running of the Tempest for the Best 8 dogs over the 600 metres.

The race was all but over at around the first turn as Craig Chandler’s Paw It On flew the lids, leaving the trainer with a decision to make.

“He had a little niggle after his first 600 metre race about a month ago, so I dropped him back to the 431 metres at Ipswich for a couple of runs and had built him back up to the trip,” Chandler said.

“It was a pretty big ask returning in a Free For All race, but he came up with the right box (one) that if he nailed the start, he was going to be hard to beat and he smashed it, I was a little bit concerned he’d gone too hard.

“His future is at the 600 metres and possibly further, but I’ve got a big decision to make in the next few days if we head to the Brisbane Cup Heats or not because he’s still more than competitive over the sprint.”

Equalizer earns Listed Sprint Crown

Team Brett’s hand is only getting stronger on the eve of the Brisbane Cup heats with Victorian Equalizer brilliant on debut beating the best in trademark fashion.

“He came out about two lengths last, but strangely that’s exactly what he needed to do, he’s never been an on-speed runner and by falling to the fence he picked up good ground on them before getting going down the back,” Brett said.

“There aren’t many greyhounds going better than Qwara Bale lately, I knew he was strong but that was something to see him blow right by that dog.

“That’s the beauty of this dog no matter what happens at the jump you know at some stage he’s going to get a crack at them, sometimes it might be too late but tonight was spot on.”

Brett has taken the reigns from Victorian trainer Jason Thompson and is rapt to have a balanced attack for the Cup heats.

“Jason Thompson sent him up about two weeks ago, so he’s had a trial and been able to settle in and I hope this run proves pivotal in how he goes in the Brisbane Cup Heats next week,” he said.

“He’s taken a bit of getting used to he’s got a few little quirks, I think that’s why Jason got him here early, but the upside is massive.

“He’s the polar opposite of a dog like Orchestrate who has to get that first section right to run time, where this guys come out last and run 29.77 seconds.”

Tyanna Belle grabs a track record for Gladman

Doug Gladman knew he had a special talent in Tyanna Belle but expected her best to come with her impending jump to 500 metres.

But in what may be her last 395-metre raced she stormed to victory in the TAB Thunder Final, setting a new track record in 22.16 seconds. 

“About a month ago when she had a couple of runs down around 22.3 seconds, I thought if things went just right for her, she could break the track record, but I can’t believe it’s happened against this field in the Thunder Final,” Gladman said.

“She’s a bitch that needs a bit of room early which I didn’t think she’d get from the five, but when she was on the scene early, I knew the time would be quick with her run home.

“What an honour to win this race, I was saying during the week I don’t think there’s been a tougher 395-metre race in my 10 years racing in Queensland and we’ve won it in track record time.”

It’s just the beginning for the two-year-old who’s already benn set her next assignment.

“I’ve been holding her back in distance for a crack at this race, now she’s come out and won it we’ll look to head towards the Grafton Cup over the 450 metres,” Gladman said.

“Post that we’ll step her up to the 500 metres at Albion which may take a while for her to adjust, but she’s bred to get it and her run homes tell us she’s ready.

“It’s exciting this first phase of her career couldn’t have finished on a better note, let’s hope it’s just the start.”

Hope Sure Can gifts Hunt Lightning Halo

The 331 metre flyers got their chance in the TAB Lightning Final and after a close miss last time Hope Sure Can grasped the prestigious win for trainer Sandra Hunt.

“Last time she ran on a Thursday night her kennel mate Beg Pardon spoiled the party and ran her down over the 395 metres, but the 331 metres is her ideal trip and she’s just too hard to catch when she springs the lids like she did,” Hunt said.

“Box six is just about perfect for her, she’s able to come out in a nice straight line and those first few strides are crucial in setting up her race.

“We’ve been thinking about this race for months, the prize money is good over the short course but it’s nice she gets a chance to race for close to $10,000 on a big Thursday card.”

Hunt is one of the more successful trainers over the sprint trip but Hope Sure Can has always had a special place in her heart.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for this bitch, she’s only little and her box manners are the only thing that stop her from getting knocked around over the shorts,” Hunt said.

“She won’t run any further than those short trips but she’s as professional as thy come and gives it her all every time she goes out there.”

“She was the only bitch in that field today and had all the boys chasing her and they couldn’t get close.”