Classic Record Run Rounds Out Horror 72 Hours

"The highs and lows of racing."

That was trainer Minnie Finn's first remark following Tania Keeping's track record run at Nowra on Monday night, rounding out a horror 72 hours for the leading western Sydney kennel.

Tania Keeping's breathtaking 35.91 track record performance booked the daughter of Feral Franky a place in the semi-finals of the Country Classic (605m) at Dubbo on March 11.

But it was a far more sombre story at Richmond just three days earlier when the career of Group 1 Vic Peters Classic hero Gatlin came to a shattering halt following his heat victory in the Group 2 Richmond Derby.

"I'd never seen anything like it – just a freak accident what happened," Finn said.

Congratulations to Tania Keeping, who claimed another track record last night – this time at Norwa, clocking 35.91 over the 630m in her GRNSW #CountryClassic Heat victory! ?

Replay and Results: https://t.co/G3j7novERq#thedogs #greyhoundracing #trackrecord pic.twitter.com/Pf5EHXkH0b

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) February 27, 2023

"He collided with another dog in the catching pen and somehow it clawed the inside of his back leg and caused a lot of damage.

"I caught him so I saw the whole thing happen and there was really nothing that could have been done to stop it. Really just one of those freak one in a million things.

"It was pretty bad but he's at the vets now getting the best attention. There was a clean break up the top of the leg and a dislocated wrist. He won't race again and will live his life out with his owners. Been a great dog.”

Winner at 13 of his 44 starts, Gatlin, a son of Dyna Double One, retires with $162,570 in prize money with his crowning glory a thumping win in last year's Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park.

But while the career of Gatlin has drawn to a close, Finns hoping Tania Keeping's is just ramping up, with a serious shot at the Country Classic, the world's richest middle distance event, well within reach.

The inaugural staging of the race last year went to the Finn-trained Zipping Kyrgios in front of a bumper Dubbo crowd.

"She definitely has the ability (to win it)," Finn said about the dual track record holder.

"When she wants to she can do anything and she showed that again last night. If things fall her way and she draws the inside at Dubbo then she's in with a chance."

? The #CountryClassic is off to a sizzling start with Tania Keeping smashing the 630m track record at Nowra in the opening heat, clocking 35.91! ?

Zipping Alabama, Cumbria Mal and Zipping Mercedes will join her in the Semi-Finals at Dubbo March 11. #thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/cMLDUVgnHZ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) February 27, 2023

Victorious at 12 of her 35 starts, Tania Keeping, a daughter of Feral Franky and Kim Keeping, added the Nowra time-standard to The Gardens (34.14) 600 metre track record she established five starts ago.

It was back in May last year that the gifted stayer first stepped out for the Finns, recording a flying 42.17 at headquarters when just 18 months of age.

"She's really at an age now where she should be coming into her own," Finn said.

"We were lucky enough to get her off Shayne (Stiff) and Charmaine (Roberts) after a few starts, she can be a bit funny, but when she wants to go she can.

"She was broken in at Dubbo so there's no need to take her back before the semi-finals. But I'm working out with her that she goes best first up at tracks and when she hasn't been somewhere for a while."

Finn's assault on a second Country Classic continues at Gosford on Tuesday night when reigning champ Zipping Kyrgios steps out while at Richmond on Friday night, Zipping Orlando takes his place in a heat.

Zipping Alabama qualified for the semi-finals when finishing second to Tania Keeping on Monday night.