Jillian pulls out all Stops
GREYHOUND trainer Jillian Stamford declared her talented dog Stop Line the most consistent greyhound she has ever trained after the son of St Pierre scored an emphatic win in the inaugural running of The Chase in Devonport yesterday.
It was Stop Line’s 20th win from 30 starts on the Devonport Showground circuit but it was clearly his most impressive.
Pitted against a host of potential Group 1 Hobart Thousand candidates, the dog made the most of box one to find the lead soon after the start and once on the lure he powered clear of his rivals and went on to defeat kennel mate Leica Prayer by almost five lengths.
He covered the 452 metres in a slick 25.28 which was low flying considering the field faced a gale-force head wind in the home straight.
The son of former Devonport Cup winner St Pierre made the most of box one to lead most of the way to score by almost five lengths from his kennel mate Leica Prayer to give Stamford her best result in the race that was formerly the Devonport Cup.
“This dog has been an absolute marvel and while he is not the best dog, we’ve had he is clearly the most Stamford said.
“He was favourite today because of the draw (box 1) but he wasn’t the quickest away, but he hunted through to find the lead and when he did that it was all over.
“It’s also great to have trained the quinella in the race.”
The Devonport club opted to relinquish its January date for the Devonport Cup that clashed each year with the thoroughbred Devonport Cup and to make it a clean canvas the club decided to rebrand its showcase event.
“Dogs love to chase so it was a no-brainer when we had to find a new name for the race,” said North West Greyhound Racing Club consistent,” chairwoman Robyn Johnson.
Stamford confirmed Stop Line and Leica Prayer would both head to Hobart to contest heats of the Group 1 Hobart Thousand on December 12 and the same applies for The Chase third placed Sacred Shadow that finished on the heels of the runner-up.
will also go into the Hobart Thousand heats with winning form after he scored a brilliant win in the
Angus Evans Memorial Chase Consolation (542m).
The Paul Hilli-trained dog drew the outside box and was forced to race wide but once he found the lead, he sprinted clear and went on to defeat Fabulous Baroque and Atley Quick. “Winning the consolation final is just reward for this dog because he was ever so unlucky not to win his heat,” Hilli said.
Nitro Sambar is owned by talented harness driver Samantha
Freeman with the dog’s second name bearing the first three letters of her Christian name and that of her late father Barry,
“This is a big thrill to win this race and makes up for missing the big final but he has been a great dog for us as he’s only had 27 starts and this was his 13th win,” Freeman said. Nitro Sambar will also head to Hobart for the heats of the Group 1 Hobart Thousand on Thursday week.