Auction Spring In Stewart's Step

 
VETERAN South Australian trainer Barry Stewart claimed his second feature trophy in as many weeks at Angle Park last Thursday night when Springvale Choix charged home to win the lucrative AGRC/GRSA Auction Series Final.
A fortnight earlier, Stewart, 70, had won the Group 3 Howard Ashton with $16 outsider Waterloo Kate, where Springvale Choix, a March '16 son of Magic Sprite and Bon Choix, started $3.50 favourite and finished an unlucky third.
Stewart's back-to-back feature celebrations were an unlikely feat, considering he only has two race-dogs in his kennel.
Both qualified for the $11,500 to-the-winner Auction Final, restricted to greyhounds purchased at the 2016 Auction, with Howard Ashton heroine Waterloo Kate, a superbly-bred May '16 daughter of Fernando Bale and Hope's Up, finishing fourth.
"How long has this game been going on!" Stewart laughed.
"It had been a long time between drinks but I can't complain about the last few weeks.
"I thought Springvale Choix was a good chance in the Howard Ashton but he ran into a lot of interference. He lacks a little bit early so he needs some luck. Even though Waterloo Kate won the Howard Ashton, Springvale Choix has shown more to date, although he has had twice as many starts."
After winning his Auction heat in 30.28, Springvale Choix was the $3.40 second elect from box four, with Kirin Corby's fastest (30.13) heat winner Barwell Boy, which had been racing in Victoria, the $2.30 favourite from box two.
Barwell Boy and Bushiri ($11) duelled for the lead, while Springvale Choix settled ominously in third place and he unleashed a powerful finishing burst along the rails in the home straight to defeat Barwell Boy by 1.5 lengths in 30.05, his sixth win from 20 starts.
"I was reasonably confident he could run them down if he was within three or four lengths down the back," Stewart said.
"I just didn't know how much improvement Kirin's dog (Barwell Boy), which came over from Melbourne, would have.
"Springvale Choix had a clear run and he's a railer so everything fell into place. The two front-runners had every chance but our dog was doing his best work at the finish when they got a bit tired."
Springvale Choix's next target is the heats of the Gawler Produce on Sunday, after which he will be transferred to co-owner Gavin Harris, who has enjoyed great success with stayers, most notably Group performers Luna Jinx and Springvale Jinx.
"It's funny how it worked out because Gavin had a bitch called Zinfandel Zara that he was hoping to win the Howard Ashton and Auction race with," Stewart explained.
"She only had nine starts but won six races and ran 29.66 at Angle Park. But then she busted a leg and Gavin was very downhearted, but he's ended up winning both races anyway.
"We've got a few pups coming through so Gavin has already taken over the training of Waterloo Kate and he'll also get Springvale Choix after the Gawler Produce. Gavin has had success with stayers and Springvale Choix's run home sections say he will definitely get 600m and hopefully he'll get 700m.
"I bought Springvale Choix off a mate of mine, Richard Stasiak. His mother, Bon Choix, didn't win a lot of races but she always ran time and I put my hand up for a pup when Richard bred with her. Gavin actually picked him out for me and reared him, so we went halves.
"We put him in the Auction and he only reached $2500, wo we bought him back. We actually had a rush of blood and paid $9000 for Waterloo Kate, but they're both well in front now, so it's all worked out well!"