‘Doing It For Steve': Blue Blend's Golden Chase Bid

AS Blue Blend lines up for the semi-finals of the Golden Chase (520m) at Ipswich on Saturday night, owner Kerri Harkness and trainer Jeff Crawford will be hoping for some divine help.

That divine help will come from the late Steve Woods, Kerri's partner and former Ipswich Club president, who had spent many decades as a lover of greyhound racing.

Steve succumbed to cancer a year ago.

HOOKED ON SCOTCH AT STUD

Blue Blend (Hooked On Scotch-Kiss And Cut) comes off a 30.33 Golden Chase auction series heat win last week and he has drawn box six in his semi-final.

Kerri and Steve bought Blue Blend and two bitches from the Ipswich Auction after inspecting them at Crawford's Buccan property.

"Blue Blend was the pick of the litter and Steve and Kerri paid about $7000 each for the three pups at the auction," Crawford said.

"They took their pups home and reared them.

"When Steve died, Kerri found the number of dogs she had on their property was overwhelming for her.

"She asked for help from my wife Jane and I. We organised the entire litter to go to John Martin for education and Blue Blend clocked 16.40 which is scorching.

"But, there was not much between any of the litter."

Blue Blend is a very strong young dog and Kerri soon found he was difficult to handle. Jeff took over his training.

The dog won his Maiden at Ipswich in a flying 30.29 back in February.

Jeff says Blue Blend had missed work with a slight virus late in February and went into the Auction heats underdone.

"He'd had a box-to-box prior to the heats, so with that run under his belt he will be much better for this week," he added.

"And, he has pulled up great."

But he is concerned with the box draw.

"He's badly drawn because of the early speed drawn outside him," he added.

"It's not the actual draw, but what's drawn around him."

Crawford says he's confident Steve Woods will be "looking over us" on Saturday night.

"He was such a friend to so many and committed to this industry," he said.