Local Star Storms To Chase Favouritism

The last-start Tasmanian Gold Cup winner made it 11 wins from 22 starts in Hobart, delivering yet another stunning front-running performance, coming off box 8 to score by three lengths over Dewana Milo and Buckle Up Elise.

His time of 25.87s was clearly the fastest run recorded of all seven heats bringing his record to 22 wins in 39 starts.

"Consistency is key with Nail 'Em Fencer at the moment, his task so far was to qualify for the final next week and that's now accomplished. Right now the dog is running well and performing at his best," trainer Neville Allison said.

"It's a been huge campaign to have the dog ready for the Ladbrokes Chase and he has a great affinity with this track."

Flying sprinter Nail 'em Fencer is the one to beat for next Thursday night's Group 3 @ladbrokescomau Chase after setting the time standard in the heats last night.@BWRyan1994 has the recap – https://t.co/9obYGVd12F pic.twitter.com/9MZOCthxEN

— Tasracing Australia (@TasracingAus) November 18, 2022

The son of Aston Dee Bee and Hoity Toity has undoubtably been a great advertisement for the local greyhound breeding industry and continues to give success to owner Kingsley Jarman and his breeders Anne & Bill Witherden.

Owner Kingsley Jarman with Ladbrokes Chase heat winner Nail ‘Em Fencer.

"I'm very happy for Anne and Bill, they are small breeders and should be proud of what the litter has done," Neville said.

Across the other six heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Chase series, five were claimed by the locally trained runners with Who Told Tuff, under the care of Invermay trainer Eileen Thomas, being the only interstate runner to qualify.

The WA chaser, by Raw Ability out of Who Told Lindylu, came from behind to win his heat in 26.02s from box 8.

Across the board trainers Robin Grubb and Josh Wright, each claimed a heat with Rojo Diamond and Harden Up Johnny both qualifying into the final, and trainers Gary Johnson and Russell Watts also qualified runners.

At the Tasracing Official starting price of $81, Buckle Up Aumond was the biggest upset of the series in taking out his heat over Dawny Dream in 26.31s, with Gary Johnson also preparing Buckle Up Aria to take out her heat off box 6.

Moorleah trainer Russell Watts will be striving to achieve his second Ladbrokes Chase success with Quest For More, having prepared Awesome Cole to win the feature back in 2004, when the race was originally the Devonport Cup.

Watts prepares Quest For More for owner Cameron Betts who took out his heat from box 6 notching up nine wins.

Dewana Milo qualifies through into next week's final as the second fastest placegetter out of the heats, for Exeter trainer Anthony Bullock, the son of My Redeemer finished three lengths behind Nail ‘Em Fencer running 26.08s.

Nail ‘Em Fencer moves to box 6 in the $25,000-to-the-winner final next Thursday night and will start as favourite.

"The wide draw suits Nail 'em Fencer though you have to take any luck you can get coming into these big races. His preparation stays the same I never alter his routine, the dog is going into this at best levels right now," Neville said.

1. Buckle Up Aumond (Gary Johnson)

2. Quest For More (Russell Watts)

3. Harden Up Johnny (Josh Wright)

4. Who Told Tuff (Eileen Thomas)

5. Dewana Milo (Anthony Bullock)

6. Nail 'Em Fencer (Neville Allison)

7. Rojo Diamond (Robin Grubb)

8. Buckle Up Aria (Gary Johnson)

Reserves

9. Do It (Mick Stringer)

10. Nyah Nyah Flyer (Matthew Lanigan)