Best Ahead For Near Record Gardens Winner

TRAINER Allan Woods has declared the best is yet to come for unbeaten youngster Miss Granger following her near record Ladbrokes Gardens victory on Tuesday night.

Making it two straight wins to begin her career, Miss Granger, a daughter of underrated sire Keybow and Wallan Baby, rocketed over the 272 metres in a stunning 15.45, just two lengths outside the track record.

"She looked like her feet weren't touching the ground she was going that fast," beamed Allan Woods.

"John Martin broke the litter in and did a fantastic job; they all showed a lot right from the start, they're beautiful dogs.

"Miss Granger won her maiden in 15.48 so I expected she'd improve a bit last night so the time didn't surprise me. I don't think 500 will be a problem later on, we'll head to Maitland with her now for a 400 and go from there. She's only young so there's no rush."

Included in the hugely exciting Keybow litter is the smart Nev's Gift, unbeaten in two appearances for leading conditioner Jason Mackay.

"The late Neville Stokes lived up the road from us and used to come over here a lot … he just loved Wallan Baby," Woods reflected.

"He always said to me he wanted a pup out of her litter so when the time came he picked one out. Sadly Neville passed away from cancer about nine months ago and gifted the pup to his daughter Kellie to race … which is where the name comes from."

On a red letter night for Allan and Karen Woods on Tuesday, impressive debutante Dot Princess was the first of a winning double for the Nabiac based duo.

A daughter of My Bro Fabio and prolific winning bitch Warrior Princess, Dot Princess made light work of her opposition, scoring by 2 ¾ lengths in 23.33.

"She's a few weeks off being 100 percent – I thought she'd go alright last night but she's got heaps of improvement," Woods explained.

"There are 10 in the litter and they're only 19 months old. They're coming along nicely."

Adding extra significance to Tuesday night's winning double is the fact that both bitches are offspring of litter-sisters Wallan Baby and Warrior Princess.

"The plan was to always breed with the two bitches," Woods added.

"Wallan Baby only had five runs until injury got her but she was a very fast bitch, she trialled 22.67 at The Gardens over 400 when they weren't running those times.

"We actually won the Keybow straw we used on her at The Gardens a few years ago. He's an underrated sire and throws plenty of speed into his pups. We're planning on using him again with Wallan Baby or even cross over and use him with Warrior Princess. There's plenty of interest in his pups."

Relative newcomers to the industry, only sinking their teeth into things back in 2010, Allan and Karen Woods are setting up something special at their Nabiac base.

"We've got 50 dogs here now," Woods said with a grin.

"Wallan Baby had a litter of five pups a few weeks back to Zipping Garth and we've got a litter of nine here as well out of Ellie Belles by My Redeemer.

"It's a real team effort and nights like last night are very rewarding."