Locals in race to be top dog
DARWIN trainers Jamie Hosking and Russell Savige are wary of the interstate raider for the Easter Cup at Winnellie Park tonight – but don’t give up on their dogs, either.
Queensland trainer Tom Tzouvelis’ four-year-old bitch Spring Bonanza will go in as the favourite in the $10,250 feature race-seven Easter Cup.
After arriving in the Top End, she blitzed the field by almost nine lengths in the first Easter Cup heat last weekend.
But Hosking’s Arnhen Villain went even better, winning heat two by almost 10 lengths.
The 2016 Greyhound of the Year reeled off the best time of 31.77 seconds, Spring Bonanza second best in 32.04.
Arnhen Villain will have box one and Spring Bonanza box eight – the two best places to start. Spring Bonanza is well poised.
“It was pretty much what we expected,” caretaker trainer Brian Kelleher said after her heat victory.
“She’s a handy bitch. She’s won about $80,000 in prizemoney.
“Spring Bonanza has been here for two previous Darwin Cups. She knows the track.”
Despite this, Hosking is confident Arnhen Villain can continue firing.
The four-year-old has four wins from eight starts this year.
“The last couple of weeks he’s been getting in trouble, but it was good to see him finally put it on the track,” Hosking said after his star dog’s big win last Sunday.
That “trouble” Hosking refers to is four second placings in 2017. Asked if he was surprised about Arnhen Villain’s brilliant time in the Easter Cup heat, Hosking replied: “Not when I saw how he was going around the track without any trouble.”
Savige has three-year-old Jenny Lenny and two-year-old Sylvia’s Monaro in boxes five and six.“
I think (Sylvia’s Monaro) is a place chance. She could win,” Savige said. “(Jenny Lenny) is a plodder, but she’s in the finals so she’s got a bit of ability.”
Triple Crown Vin (for Sav- ige in the race one maiden), Cosmic Rise (for Hans Spykers in race two), Winklee Dokey for Graeme Scott and Miss Minimoo (Spykers) in race three, Bombay Rock and Dashing Geek (for Andrew Lasker in race four) are others to watch.
The Easter Cup Consolation has brought together a competitive field, including the Graeme Ferns pair Dust And Sand and From The States in race five.
Race six is a quality line-up with plenty of chances, including impressive last-start winners Macaloney (Ferns) and Dainty Culprit (Savige).
Booberry, Arabian Sheriff and Spyro Ignitus are well engaged for Joel Vansleve in race eight.
Reno Aden (Hosking in race nine) is hard to catch, and the Robert Brown-trained Trigger Bling can go on with the job in race 10.
Both Arnhem Chaos (Hosking) and Tiger’s Spark (Carol Pickard) look leading contenders in race 11.
Entry to Winnellie Park tonight is free for every patron.