Dubbo trainer Charmaine Roberts headed into the Ladbrokes Odd Boost Final (318m) with three of the main contenders at Dawson Park on Thursday but it was Forest Reefs trainer Mark Wicks who was left cheering after the event.
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Wicks’ three-year-old Talking Point only got a start following a scratching but the number nine dog made the most of his chances from the wide draw and took out the $1,360 race in the blistering time of 18.05 seconds.
“I was happy when he came up with the eight box, I knew that would suit him,” Wicks said after the win.
“I thought if I could get a run I was hoping for the eight and that’s what we got. He’s a quick dog and holds a record, is one-tenth off another and went close today so he’s a good dog.”
Much of the pre-race attention was on Roberts and her trio of George Keeping ($2.60 favourite), Regan Keeping ($3.70) and Dylan Keeping ($9.90) but Talking Point had his supporters and came in from $4.60 to start as a $4.10 chance.
The jump was always going to be crucial and Talking Point was far and away the best as he rocketed from the eight box and got immediately to the lead, ahead of Roberts’ chances.
That was how it stayed as Wicks’ dog went on to score by a comfortable three-and-a-half lengths from Regan Keeping while Dylan Keeping was one-and-three-quarters back in third.
Wicks was delighted to get the win and with his sport facing a shut down from July 1 next year he was hopeful there would be more between now and then.
“Take them as they come now, not sure what’s going to happen but we’re racing while we can,” he said.
“We’ve only got three (dogs) so we want to get them going while we can.”
While Wicks doesn’t score too many winners at the Dubbo track, someone who is all too familiar with Dawson Park took out the next event, the Dubbo RSL Best 8 Stakes (400m).
Raymond Smith is one of the western area’s finest trainers and he scored a winning quinella with Irinka Alf ($12.70) getting home ahead of Irinka Tyson ($9).
Smith, like many greyhound trainers, admitted it was a tough time for the sport but was pleased to add another winner to his hugely impressive record.
“There’s a bittersweet feeling to it,” he said after the one-two, before speaking about Irinka Alf’s effort.
“It was very good, he’s better over a bit of distance but the breaks went his way and he’s a good old toiler who loves it here.”
Smith finished with a double after Buck Stop ($3.20) won a heat of the Ladbrokes Bet Better Series (516m).
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
