Trainer John Portelli and star sprinter Karinya Connie received an award at Dawson Park for breaking a track record last time out but she wasn’t able to repeat the effort on Thursday.
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Kariya Connie, Portelli’s first ever dog, smashed the 318m record at Dawson Park at the club’s last meeting but with no racing for the past three weeks the official presentation was held on Thursday, after Karinya Connie raced in the Dyna Villa at Stud Stakes (400m).
The step up in distance proved to much for the star, who entered the race having scored 17 wins from 44 starts.
She had to settle for second after leading much of the way as Paul Braddon’s own talented bitch, Hope’s A Chance, scored victory while Second Line was third.
Despite missing out on a win over the longer distance, Portelli said at the presentation having a first dog as successful as Karinya Connie was “a fairytale”.
Braddon was delighted with Hope’s A Chance’s win as it continued a fine run of form for his kennel.
Hope’s A Chance is just one of a number of standouts Paul and Pamela Braddon have had winning on tracks all over the state in recent times.
Falcon’s Fury is currently the standout dog in the west, Monday’s Gold Cup win at Bathurst the latest in a number of big wins, while Hope’s A Chance has carved out a strong career of her own.
Thursday’s win was her 15th in career start number 38.
“It was a nice run and it was run how I thought it would be run,” Braddon said after the win.
“I thought the three would lead and if I got close enough to her I could beat her. She struggles over the 400m and it’s probably her (Hope’s A Chance) pet distance.”
Hope’s A Chance hadn’t scored a win since September but Braddon said that was down to a number of injuries she had suffered in recent times.
She showed no worries on Thursday when getting out well from box two and sitting behind Karinya Connie ($2.30 favourite) while Takalo Gem ($4.10) and Second Line ($33.60) also got out well.
Karinya Connie led into the bend but Hope’s A Chance ($3.50) mowed her down with ease.
Second Line ran home well and only missed out on second by a nose for Rodney McDonald.
“It’s been a good litter to me,” Braddon said.
Son Of Zeus, trained at Wellington by Timothy Towney, was another strong winner on Thursday, leading for most of the way when scoring in the Sires On Ice 0-2 Wins Stakes (516m).
The win was his third from 13 starts.
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.
