Ned can’t take foot off gas

IN-FORM greyhound Ned Isakoff staked his claim on the inaugural Group 3 Devonport Chase (452) by being the fastest of six heat winners last week but he will need to at least repeat that if he is to emerge triumphant from an awkward box draw in today’s final at the Devonport Showground.

Ned Isakoff clocked a time of 25.59 to win his heat from box two by leading throughout but he might not have it all his own way from box six today.

He is one of two finalists from the Pat Ryan kennel with Sacred Shadow his other contender.

Ryan finds it difficult to separate the pair on ability as they both won their respective heats wearing the check vest and only four hundredths of a second separated them on times over the 452metre trip.

However, he leans ever so slightly to Ned Isakoff because he is in career-best form and he believes the dog has gone to a new level this time in.

“I believe the dog thinks he can win every time he goes around and that’s because his confidence is at an all-time high,” Ryan said.

“He is a very quick beginner and that’s how he has been winning most of his races of late but in this final it will probably be a bit of a rude awakening for him because there is plenty of good speed all around him including the dog on his outside, Speedy Deneholme (7).

“But if Isakoff finds the rail early then he is going to be very hard to run down.

“Sacred Shadow is a very talented bitch that was also impressive in leading throughout to win her heat, but she too will need luck from box four.

“Sacred Shadow has been a very good bitch with 18 wins and over 20 placings to her credit and she’s won five from six starts in Devonport.”

However, Ryan admits Stop Line has drawn to win the race.

“There isn’t a dog in Tasmania that races better at Devonport than Stop Line and he’s drawn the inside box and that is going to give him a great advantage, especially if he begins well.”

Stop Line began only fairly to win his heat from box three but his record from box one at Devonport is brilliant.

The Jill Stamford-trained dog clocked a sizzling 25.21 on the track from box eight in mid-August and two starts back to cover the 452-metre trip in 25.42 when victorious over Be Like Bill in an invitation grade race.

Stanley Gordon is a serious chaser with his record of 12 wins and two minor placings from only 17 starts testament to his ability.

The Ted Medhurst-trained dog ran the best of the night in Hobart three starts back, clocking a slick 25.44 over 461 metres in an invitation-grade event and he stopped the clock at 25.64 when he won his heat of The Chase last week despite receiving multiple checks from box three.

Stanley Gordon has drawn box three in today’s final and he is Stop Line’s main rival.

If there was to be an upset, it could come from the Anthony Bullock-trained Bridwood Marshal that won his heat from box four and will carry the check vest in the final.

Bridwood Marshal copped a couple of checks in his heat but powered through a narrow gap on the turn to forge clear and had enough in hand to hold out the odds-on favourite Raging Ralston that is a litter brother to Stanley Gordon.