Rhonda cup win Grubb’s top moment

HELLO Rhonda gave her popular greyhound trainerbreeder Robin Grubb one of his greatest moments in racing when she scored a courageous win in the Group 2 Launceston Cup over 515 metres last night.

Hello Rhonda (($3.60 favourite) began well to lead wearing the red vest but when Devonport Cup winner Corykodi moved alongside the leader on the home turn it looked as if he would forge to the lead but Grubb’s bitch refused to wilt.

The daughter of Fernando Bale-Sing the Song kicked clear on straightening for the run home and went on to defeat Be Like Bill by two lengths with Corykodi a close-up third.

“Four weeks ago I was thinking she probably won’t handle the track but she’s taken to it like a duck to water,” Grubb said.

“This is one of my best moments in racing and I just want to celebrate the win with Mum and Dad this week because they will be rapt.”

Hello Rhonda won the Hobart Thousand Consolation in December but this was clearly the bitch’s greatest moment.

“She showed a lot of courage tonight to fend off Corykodi because he is a strong dog but she just refused to give it up.”

Be Like Bill, from the Blake Pursell kennel, loomed to win nearing the home turn but the effort to get in a winning position had taken its toll.

Corykodi was game as always and Two Bills for Gavin Whitney made up good ground after copping a check at the first turn. WESTBURY trainer Sam Page celebrated one of his big- gest wins when his consistent sprinter Lenard’s Boy scored an impressive all-the-way victory in the Launceston Cup Consolation over 515m.

Lenard’s Boy ($7) was second to Be Like Bill in his Launceston Cup heat but failed to steal a berth in the final as his time in running second was the third best.

The dog has been a great money-spinner for Page, who also owns the son of Zulu ZeusBooming Bennet.

His career stats of 11 wins and 15 minor placings from 39 starts for almost $30,000 says a lot about his ability.

Last night he began brilliantly from box three and mustered enough speed to hold the lead at the first turn, while the odds-on favourite Muppet ($1.50) tried to squeeze up along the rail after missing the start and was checked badly and tailed out to last.

Lenard’s Bot went on to score by two lengths from Winning Broke ($15) with Miss Greg ($19) a close-up third.