By Isaac Murphy
With a number of top graders taking their talents to the Ipswich Cup Heats this Saturday, Thursday night’s Albion Park meet gave greyhounds and trainers alike opportunities to establish themselves as Thursday Grade dogs and tune up for Group races in the near future.
The class run of the night came from Terry Auckram’s Shoes To Fill, who came jumped on the bunny from the red, romping home in 29.80 in a crucial preparation run for his tilt at December’s Group One Sale Cup.
“He was fresh tonight after I held him out last week with a little niggle and he loves the one so tonight was a good step on our way to the Sale Cup,” Auckram said.
“I’ll look to step him up to the 600 over the next couple of weeks to have him at his best to run out the 650 at sale.”
Fernando Blaster sent an ominous warning to Brisbane Cup aspirants with a dominant 29.95 win.
“He’s a very good dog and it took him a couple of weeks, but he got it right tonight, we’ll keep him going towards the Brisbane Cup,” Jordan said.
Codrington trainer Dean Turley recorded a double on the night with Big Turls getting home from the red in the Masters, but Turley was most pleased about Twin Galaxy’s return from injury.
“She’s coming back from injury so I gave her the run over 395m on Monday knowing it was going to be pretty tough because she’s a third grader over that trip and a fifth grader over the 520, so I was pleased to see her run up to her ability tonight,” he said.
Wild Rock Hayze gave trainer Noel Evans a great thrill finally cracking it for his first win at track and distance at start 10.
“Really excited, he’s come along way over the last few runs, the time wasn’t flying but any wins good,” Evans said.
“I’m not in a big hurry I’m just happy to see him come here tonight and finally get that first Albion win out of the way and hopefully he’ll improve next week.”
Dam Slippery for Brett Hazelgrove had been racing in good company behind Molly Campbell Silver Dollars winner Wazza Who in recent weeks and with the help of a good box draw franked that form.
“When she drew the two she was always going to be tough to beat,” Hazelgrove said.
“The biggest problem with her is she just hasn’t drawn a box, but when she’s inside and gets the chance to muster how she did tonight, she’s hard to beat.”
“We’ve got to chew up some grades with her now, we’ve got some Mondays and Wednesdays with her and we might consider a Brisbane Cup, she’s only young so we’ll see how she’s travelling.”