COWRA'S Rodney McDonald does not make the trip to Dubbo all too often but he made it count yesterday with a trifecta of wins at Dawson Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Second Line, Dana Mork and Monsignor Ace all tasted success yesterday for one of the central west's leading trainers and McDonald said it was only a sporting conflict of interest which led to him racing at Dubbo.
"I actually got talked into playing pennants golf on Sunday so I couldn't race them where I wanted to so had to bring the dogs here," he laughed.
McDonald started his success with a one-two in race six of the day, the Unibet Stakes (516m), as Second Line got home ahead of kennel-mate Dana Kis.
The talented Second Line ($2.80), who finished second in the $10,000 Soldier's Saddle at Bathurst in December, blew the field away as he scored a seven-and-a-half length victory.
Dana Kis ($7.70) was second with Backyard Wrecker ($12.00) a further two-and-three-quarter lengths back in third.
Dana Mork was up next for McDonald in the Tara Greyhound Equipment Stakes (516m) and the black runner recorded career win number two in an impressive comeback win.
The Robert Johnson-trained Cobochan ($5.00) began the best, ahead of Buddy's Me Mate ($29.10) and Firebee ($3.00), while Dana Mork ($10.30) was second last at the first bend.
But down the back straight he made his move and got up along side Cobochan and Dana Mork had enough pace down the home straight to get home by a neck.
"He's a professional second placegetter, I thought he was going to get second again," McDonald said.
"He just always finds trouble then runs home and runs second so hopefully he might get a bit of confidence, he's a strong dog."
Dana Mork comes from a strong bloodline with mother Dana Beatrice winning the famed Easter Egg at Wentworth Park in 2009 while father Fabregas won 12 times in 13 career starts.
"So he should be able to run," McDonald said.
"He's probably half a length off being a handy dog but still paying his way by running second all the time but he's only young so maturity might get there."
The success continued in the first heat of the Pinecrest Kennels Sprint Series with Monsignor Ace running a similar race to Dana Mork to advance to next week's final.
Monsignor Ace ($7.70) jumped third behind Zeehan Miss ($4.00) and kennel-mate Dana Mirka ($18.10) but got to the lead down the back straight.
Zeehan Miss fought back late on but Monsignor Ace got home by a head with Isabella Cargo ($4.10) in third.
