3 minute read
Her price of $35 fixed odds may have caught out punters Saturday night in the Group One Zoom Top. But judges of talented chasers would have been well aware that Stagger Out Lee was one run away from returning to her brilliant best.
Having not one since her Group One domination in the Bold Trease at Sandown in November it had been a frustrating time for Jack Strutt her trainer. Seemingly his little girl on numerous occasions had run out of luck in many races. Strutt surely having many months wondering if he had stepped on a cat so to speak as run after run Stagger Out Lee continued to find bad luck in running.
She was unlucky in the heat and final of the Newcastle cup back in early December. Seemingly on both occasions , jumping well and finding a position only to flat spot in running and finding an abundance of interference. Her dropping out and run home style seemingly changing somewhat as her box manners improved.
With each run she was finding trouble and frustratingly flying home in her races but leaving it too late to cross the finish line first. Greyhound pundits are quick to point fingers and many wanted to tarnish her. Perhaps suggesting she had been a flash in the pan. Realistically Stagger Out Lee has the most explosive finish in greyhound racing.
There would not be another stayer in Australia that could manage to match it with her over the last 150 metres of a race if she finds clear air. Cawbourne Magic went past her down the back straight Saturday night yet she was talented enough to balance up and past the greyhound again to claim victory.
Jack Strutt her trainer must be contemplating whether she is a better stayer in Victoria than her regular form in New South Wales. It will be something he has to weigh up going forward as he plans out the next few months of racing. It's a great headache to have considering the quality of the field she defeated Saturday night.
Stagger Out Lee took her overall record to $268,000 in prize money from 58 starts for 11 wins and 24 minor placings. Her record clearly showing her consistency to be in the mix at all times.Racing against the best stayers in Australia week in week out. Her resume now displaying two Group One wins, those being The Group One Bold Trease and The Zoom top.
The daughter of My Bro Fabio is just a month away from turning three years of age in late March. She is now in the prime of her career. The breeding barn will call soon. Jack Strutt considered somewhat of a hobby trainer has been taken on the ride of his life in a very short period of time.
His emotional reactions when winning The Bold Trease was obvious as he spoke of the short falls hobby trainers face not having available the facilities or the experience that top line trainers possess. His ability to raise her off the canvas so to speak Saturday night shows he has persistance and patience as a trainer. We wish Strutt and Stagger Out Lee all the best over the coming months.
