Minnie Marvels In Emotional Futurity Triumph

GETS Late Early has capped off a sharp rise from relative obscurity to win the Group 1 Ladbrokes National Futurity (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

And in the process the Minnie Finn-trained charge delivered Flying Ricciardo his first group 1 triumph as a sire and also dam Poco Dorado, coincidently in the race she fell in as favourite back in 2018.

Entering the series off just one third placed finish in her lone Wentworth Park appearance, Gets Late Early wasn't considered one of the leading contenders at the start of the star-studded $75,000-to-the-winner event.

But that all changed in last week's heats when the fashionably bred youngster reeled off a flying 5.30s first split en route to a gritty 29.75 heat victory, putting her name right up in lights for the decider.

And after ultimately finding the front in the bitches' race first staged in 1965 it became Gets Late Early's Futurity to lose, holding on strongly in the concluding stages to defeat Hurricane Reign for a second straight week in 29.85.

Gets Late Early has won the 2024 @Ladbrokescomau National Futurity Final for Minnie Finn, with Hurricane Reign and Ain't Waiting filling the placings!#thedogs #wentypark #greyhoundracing #group1 #futurity @wentyparkgreys pic.twitter.com/RklrO0YCyj

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 20, 2024

Finishing an eye-catching third was Ain't Waiting, a litter and kennelmate, to the winner.

For Minnie Finn the victory carried extra significance, her first group 1 triumph since the passing of her husband, the late John Finn last year.

"That's really special; that one means a lot," an emotional Minnie said after the race.

"To do it on our own … a lot of people said we wouldn't be able to with John gone but I know John would be looking down on us so proud.

"Everyone has got behind us and my daughter-in-law Courtney what can I say, she's just been amazing.

"This really means a lot. For so many reasons."  

The Futurity success was a second for the Finn team after Winsome Charlee scored in 2013.

Gets Late Early's group 1 success continues the remarkable imprint Chica Destacada, and her offspring, including Poco Dorado, are leaving on the Australasian breeding scene.

And it's a huge shot in the arm for sire Flying Ricciardo which has continued to produce terrific results in his short time at stud.

"Kristy (Sultana) would be doing cartwheels," Minnie said.

"We suggested to (owner) Dennis (Donoghue) to go to Flying Ricciardo to get some speed into their legs after the first Collision litter weren't much good.

"They've got ability but they're still learning. They're great owners and they are going to have a lot of fun with these dogs."