Dynamic duo chasing glory
PETER STAPLES
BRIGHTON greyhound trainer Blake Pursell hopes two of his kennel residents can play a role in this year’s premier event, the Group 1 Hobart Thousand, to be held at Elwick in mid-December.
In Hobart on Thursday night, two of Pursell’s prime Thousand candidates, litter brothers Sprint Gordon and Twisted Reality, contested the Glenorchy Gold Cup final, with the former emerging triumphant over the 461m trip at Elwick.
Sprint Gordon (Spring Gun-Champagne Girl) delivered one of his best efforts this season, overcoming a moderate start before delivering a scintillating burst of mid-race speed and going on and score a convincing win over a star-studded line-up.
“I was very impressed with his win on Thursday night and hopefully he can continue with that sort of form leading up to the Hobart Thousand,” Pursell said.
Sprint Gordon has had 24 starts in Tasmania for 12 wins and eight minor placings.
“Sprint Gordon lacks early speed, but he has incredible speed mid-race and that’s what won him the race on Thursday night,” Pursell said.
“He wasn’t suited in box seven because he is a dog that loves the rail, so that is another reason why I thought it was a great win”
Twisted Reality drew inside Sprint Gordon and had his chances ruined soon after the start when he cannoned into his litter brother and was spat out the back.
“Twisted Reality had no luck, but we all know he is a very good dog and will get his chance to win again,” Pursell said. “I’m looking forward to the feature races this year because I don’t think there will be many, if any, interstate dogs coming over because of COVID restrictions and that should give us (locals) a better chance to win big races.”
Twisted Reality and Sprint Gordon will both head to the Devonport Chase heats in a fortnight.
Meanwhile, Ben Englundtrained Wynburn Sheean staked a claim for the Group 3 Devonport Chase with a brilliant win in Tuesday’s Devonport Puppy Championship final over 452m.
“He is only a pup, but he is very exciting and the Hobart Thousand is definitely in the radar,” Englund said.
He added that Wynburn Sheean’s kennel mate Wynburn Lethal also would be aimed at the Devonport Chase and Hobart Thousand series.