Most trainers hate it when their dog draws a middle box, but that’s not the case with Cudal’s Craig Tuntler.
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He was more than confident Airly Rocket could run well from box five in the bettowintips.com.au Stakes (400m) at Dawson Park on Thursday, and his assessment was right.
From box five, Airly Rocket pounced on the lead soon after the field left the boxes and he didn’t relinquish the position.
Punters sent the Shannon Kirby-trained Love Lord out as a $2.30 favourite, but from box one his chances faded when he was only moderately away.
Airly Rocket started at odds of $6.00, and while he was highballing in front, the battle for the minor placings became the point of interest.
Love Lord was able to rally but was pipped for second placing by Frank Cannon ($15.00).
I’m The Trump did a good job after swelling at the start to finish fourth.
Thursday’s win was the sixth of Airly Rocket’s career and came at his 20th start.
“It’s fairly satisfying because I bred him and broke him in,” Tuntler said after the race.
“A group of miners bought him and they entrusted me to train him, so it’s good to get a good result for them.
“He races well here and at Bathurst and he has that good early pace so the middle draw didn’t worry me. He’s quick enough early to be able to overcome that.
“We will keep looking for suitable races for him here and at Bathurst and just take him through the grades. He’s a nice dog but we’ll just take the races as they come for him.”
Meanwhile, Dubbo greyhound racing participants are among those smiling after news emerged the industry will receive a significant prizemoney injection, to the tune of $2.3 million, for the 2016/17 racing season.
Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) announced a raft of prizemoney increases which will provide a sense of much needed optimism.
The prizemoney on offer from July 1 makes racing a greyhound in NSW an attractive and exciting proposition, which will lead to a greater degree of confidence in the industry.
In making the announcement, GRNSW’s Manager Industry Reform Wayne Billett was understandably upbeat and excited about the prizemoney framework.
“The new schedule addresses all tiers of racing and provides a network and pathway for owners and trainers to maximize their earning potential, right through from grassroots racing to metropolitan and group class racing,” Billett said.
“Through the consultation process I was really happy with the level of feedback we received and the end result is a reflection on that.”
