3 minute read
A severe weather heat warning for New South Wales will see the running of Sunday's Muswellbrook Cup over 571 metres and worth $25,000 to the winner moved to a morning race program to avoid the ravaging heat predicted. The meeting was set down to race in a twilight slot. However the long term welfare of all greyhounds racing at the meeting became paramount in the minds of the club and stewards as the blistering heat continues to hit New South Wales.
Last weeks heats seen many prominent New South Wales chases contest the three heats spearheaded by trainer Mark Gatt who engaged talented youngsters Leg Speed and Ritza Debra who both won heats. And Gatt did not dissapoint when Leg Speed the son of talented race bitch Vouchers set tongues wagging with a speedy new track record being set when the clock was stopped at 32.62 seconds for the 571 metre journey. What was more impressive for Leg Speed was the fact he had last use of the track of the three heats.
Of all three heats the most anticipated was heat two which seen the appearance of Group One Peter Mosman Opal winner Embrace trained by Craig Chappelow. The daughter of Twisted Love from the ever producing Chris O'Brien Tifi line was the star of the three heats and she didn't dissapoint when winning her heat in 32.97 seconds for the 571 metre journey as a $1.35 favourite. However it was post race that it became apparent that stewards may have had an issue.
Approaching the back end to the home turn it appeared that Embrace for nearly two strides came to a holt before regathering her feet chasing hard again. A closer view of the footage by stewards then indicated what had happened during the latter stages of the race. Due to the late timing of the meeting as the sun was setting the track incurred shadows across it that would not normally incur during regular Musswellbrook daytime meetings.
With light starting to fade it appears that an irrigation system planted very close to the back straight more than likely had caused Embrace to baulk as it came into her sight. It was also the first time Embrace had seen the track and with all this in mind stewards came to a very sensible decision that Embrace had in fact not failed to chase but was rather baulked by the irrigation pump and the shadow thrown by it in fading light conditions.
Embrace has for the last 12 months been one the hardest chasing race bitches in New South Wales and has raced the best of the best week in week out. She had a stellar run of form in between December and January at Wentworth Park including running a gallant second to Nad Al Sheba in The Collerson at Wentworth Park a fortnight ago.
The box draw for the final has the three market movers drawn all beside each other. Embrace is drawn in box five and is a noted good begginner however at times does want to move up and off the track. Ritza Debra is drawn beside in box 6 and has fantastic box manners as well and is likelt to match Embrace early. Leg Speed has drawn poorly in box 7 and is a noted moderate beginner who needs to be left alone his first few steps.
Of all eight finalist not one greyhound in the field has had more than two starts over the track or distance and quite simply come Sunday morning it just might be the greyhound that adapts best to the track that takes home the $25,000 winners cheque proudly sponsored by Ladbrokes.
