Winter Carnival ignites as greyhound stars step out
THE Queensland Winter Racing Carnival exploded into life at Q1 Lakeside on Saturday night, delivering blistering speed, upset victories and a glimpse at the next wave of greyhound stars ready to light up the state’s biggest carnival.
The night began with the QGold Blitz Final over 352m, where the John Catton-trained Oxidisation jumped as the $3 favourite. Her litter sister, the Tony Brett-trained Grubber Kick, also attracted strong support at $4.60 as she continued her rapid rise through the grades.
At box rise it was Sutton’s Magic who exploded to the front, while Borneo Brave immediately applied pressure and Sweet Embrace settled close behind. Oxidisation charged late down the outside, but Sutton’s Magic proved impossible to reel in, leading throughout to secure back-to-back victories.
The QGold Bolt Final over 390m saw one of the hottest prospects in Queensland greyhound racing continue his unbeaten march. The Tony Zammit-trained Neame started as dominant $1.40 favourite after compiling a perfect five-from-five record at the trip.
Neame showed exactly why punters piled into him, spearing straight to the lead before controlling the race from the front. Super Scrub tried to stay within striking distance, but once they straightened Neame simply accelerated away to preserve his flawless record.
The stayers then took centre stage in the QGold Stayers Final over 642m, headlined by track record holder Midnight Queen. The $1.75 favourite entered the race carrying enormous expectations after her stunning 35.88 run at the distance last December.
Longshot Watch My Six flew the lids to take early control, but Midnight Queen quickly worked through along the rails before dictating the race on her own terms. Garrison gave chase throughout, yet Midnight Queen proved far too strong, cruising home by three lengths in another elite staying display.
The QGold Rookies Final over 457m produced one of the most open betting markets of the night. The Travis Elson-trained Summer’s Dunay held favouritism at $3.80, but it was the Selena Zammit-trained Grace Ile who stormed to victory, making it consecutive wins and announcing herself as another exciting young chaser to watch through the carnival.
Attention then shifted to the headline Winter Chase Final over 550m, where $40,000 in prize money drew together one of the strongest fields assembled this season. The race featured high-class performers including Idea’s Girl, last year’s Vince Curry Memorial runner-up Moet Magic and the heavily backed $1.40 favourite Validate.
Trained by Jeff Crawford, Validate entered the final having already amassed more than $232,000 in prize money in what was his 60th career start.
The Aston Rupee x Strike Her Pose dog lived up to the hype, powering home to claim the feature ahead of Idea’s Girl, while Zephyr filled third placing.
Validate holds two track records at the Q1 Lakeside over the 457m (24.84) and the 550m (30.18).
Crawford completed a remarkable race-to-race double when Blue Blend captured the Winter Sprint Final.
“Super efforts by both dogs, especially Blue Blend who after six months on the sidelines demonstrated he’s come back to racing in great order,” trainer Crawford said.
“The Ipswich Cup in a few weeks is the next feature to aim for with both dogs along with Star Turn before the turning our attention to the Q2 feature winter carnival.”
From emerging young stars to proven Group-class performers, Saturday night at Q1 Lakeside delivered speed, drama and elite racing in every sense and the carnival is only just getting started.
