Monelli Too Slick In McKenna Decider

DAVID Geall claimed another Sandown feature race with Stout Monelli winning the group 2 McKenna Memorial on Thursday night.

And for good measure, he prepared runner-up Hill Top Jack as well.

Stout Monelli began on terms with favourite Riccarton Rick but showed too much dash passing the post the first time to assume the lead with a lap to run.

Kennelmate Hill Top Jack settled a length away in second after crossing from box eight and the pair quickly set a margin to the chasing pack.

They matched motors down the back straight however Stout Monelli proved stronger in the run to the line, powering away to claim the $40,000 first prize by 2½ lengths in 34.03.

"The pride of South Australia wins it!"

Stout Monelli takes out the Mckenna Memorial at @sandowndogs. pic.twitter.com/Ps2pMEQNEy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 7, 2022

Stout Monelli spent the first 10 months of his career in Western Australia before being purchased by Tim Aloisi and moving to South Australia in September 2021. He arrived in Geall's Lara kennel in eight weeks ago, winning the 595m feature at just his third start in Victoria.

"There wasn't a lot of races left for him in South Australia," said Geall.

"Tim Aloisi bought him from Western Australia some time ago. He raced him, but he found he was running out of races in South Australia and he wants him to go over 600m plus.

"We're hoping he might stay – Tim thinks he might stay – but he broke the Angle Park track record – 33.68 – it's very difficult to break 34. And he has run 30.15 at Angle Park, the only dog to have gone quicker we believe is Aston Rupee.

Stout Monelli (2) goes all the way in the first Heat! 34.05s

The SA star is joined by Riccarton Rick who will also advance to the final. Aston Ulysses will be waiting patiently for the times of the other third-place finishers. pic.twitter.com/DXoan3OFCv

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) June 30, 2022

"He can run."

The win improved Stout Monelli's record to 30 wins from just 56 starts and has now won over $284,000 in prize money.