Cobber Shines, Blue Blend Returns Shield To Qld
GOOD Odds Cobber took his earning to a “few bucks” short of $1m but it was Blue Blend which was simply awesome in the Origin Series.
GOOD Odds Cobber took his earning to a "few bucks" short of $1 million when winning the Group 3 State of Origin Sprint (520m) at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night, but it was Blue Blend which was simply awesome on the night.
Blue Blend, the track record holder at Q2 with a 29.29, demoralized NSW visitor and hot favourite Jungle Johnny in the Origin Match Race.
And in the process he lowered his track record to 29.16.
Trainer Jeff Crawford immediately declared to owner Kerri Harkness "the dog is a freak".
Starting the remarkable odds of $3.10 in the two-dog match race, Blue Blend (Hooked On Scotch-Kiss And Cut) was always in front and never allowed Jungle Johnny to get even close to making a challenge.
He eventually scored by five and a quarter lengths, remarkable considering Jungle Johnny had slipped a post-to-post track record at his second appearance at Q2.
For Harkness and Crawford the Match Race win was compensation for the dog's sixth to Sooty Keeping in the Group 1 Flying Amy Classic final last Saturday night.
He ran the track record winning his heats of the Classic.
Kerri was on "cloud nine" on Friday coming to terms with the ability of her dog.
"He's only a baby and has got a lot to learn," she said.
"But, he was right on his toes last night prior to the race. It is a marvelous feeling to know you own a dog like this."
Of the future for Blue Blend, with the G1 Brisbane Cup coming up, Kerri said she would leave all that to Crawford.
"I'm glad I don't have to think about it," Harkness added.
"I leave it all up to Jeff but he did say last night that there are plenty of good races coming up for him."
Crawford has an immediate plan for Blue Blend.
“He has to go on to the Brisbane Cup,” he said. “While he is in this sort of form, you have to press on to a race like that.
“But he will then go to the Grafton Cup and after that, we will look at long-range plans for him.”
The G1 Brisbane Cup (520m)n at Q2 will be run in heats on June 26 with the $650,000 to the winner final on July 5. The G3 Grafton Cup (450m) heats will be run July 10 and the $25,000 to the winner final on July 16.
Frank and Tracey Hurst's champ Good Odds Cobber (Fernando Bale-Good Odds Meghan) was just as dominant, winning the Origin Sprint at box rise.
He sped out in a first section of 5.01 to set up a winning break over an Origin Sprint field to match most.
He scored by five and a quarter lengths over the strong finishing Cumbria Jack with Sooty Keeping in third.
Dave Irwin has been stand-in trainer for Good Odds Cobber during his Queensland campaigns which have proven lucrative at both Albion Park and now The Q.
It was Good Odds Cobber's 39th win and took his earnings to $999,480. He has become a Group winning machine.
Tim Britton's star stayer, Red Dirt Road (Space Star-Shiny Bright) was too strong when winning the G3 Origin Distance in 41.59.
He ran down Chris Brydon's Garrison which had led easily to the home turn, to win by two and a quarter lengths with Winifred Nora a fine third.
Red Dirt Road had the rails and missed first turn interference to set up his victory.
It was his 17th win and took his earnings to $240,000 especially pleasing considering the dog looked unlikely to get back to the racetrack early this year.
Latest News Articles
Greyhound Search
Trainer Search
Top Bookmakers