Lizzy ‘Keen' For Forward Gunnedah Display

THE Allan Syphers-trained Lizzy Keen will be chasing five straight Gunnedah victories when the regally bred daughter of Barcia Bale steps out in the third and final heat of Sunday's Ladbrokes sponsored Chief Havoc Cup (527m).

Making a stunning return to racing in late March following eight months on the sidelines with a dreadful virus, Lizzy Keen has made every post a winner since her come back, winning each of her four Gunnedah appearances, including track record breaking performances over both the 340m and 431m distances.

"The virus she had was shocking, we just couldn't get on top if it," declared Syphers in the lead up to Sunday's Chief Havoc Cup heats.

"We tried everything, I even sent her down to Jason Mackay for some help but in the end I just got her on some powerful anti-biotics and eventually she came good, but it was a long, long process."

Winner at eight of her 17 appearances, Lizzy Keen lines up from box one in the final cup heat this Sunday, tackling Mark Moroney's hugely exciting youngster Pandemonium, the son of Dyna Double One set to make his Gunnedah debut off some breathtaking recent performances.

"I've had her over the 500 a couple of times in hit-outs getting ready for Sunday, I've got no doubt she'll run out the distance," added Syphers, more than pleased with Lizzy Keen's box one draw, the first of her career.

"Not a lot has gone right for this bitch so far but she's shown a lot right from the start. In May last year she was flying along out in front at Maitland over the 400 metres before popping a pin muscle and going amiss.

"I've got no doubt she was going to break 22 seconds that day, and that was after a fall at The Gardens – she's had her share of dramas but she's a tough little thing, bouncing around like you wouldn't believe now."

Lizzy Keen is from one of greyhound racing's most famous breeding lines, her dam Little Grey's progeny so far responsible for over 100 race wins and a quarter of a million in prizemoney earnings.

"Bruce Fletcher is my cousin and he asked me one day if I wanted to buy one from the litter when they were pups," reflected Syphers.

"I jumped at the chance and I let him pick which one – the whole litter have turned out fantastic.

"After Gunnedah I'm looking forward to getting to Wentworth Park with her, hopefully we get a clear run at things now, she deserves it."