Mr America Keeps Straight Title In The Family

GEORGE Kairouz had extra reason to celebrate when Mr America raced away to win Saturday's National Straight Track Championship final (324m) at Richmond.

George and Terry Hill bred and own Mr America (SE Tali Sundance-Motel Girl) who scored by two lengths over Milligan with three-quarters to He's On Fire in third.

It is 41 years since Sharp Bianca broke the track record winning the National Straight Track Championship at Capalaba for John Attard in 19.88.

George is married to John's daughter Marilyn.

“It has turned out to be a very special day,” said George. “That photo of Sharp Bianca winning at Capalaba in the National Straight Track Championship holds pride of place for the family.”

George was full of praise for the job done by trainer Darren Sultana.

“He got the dog after an operation on his Achilles tendon,” said George. “And he has raced him up the straight only, winning 16 of the 20 starts he has had up the straight at Richmond and Capalaba.”

Mr. America is the Straight Track Champ!

He's won the @ladbrokescomau National Straight Track Championship in 17.41 from Milligan and He's On Fire, and makes it 14 wins from 18 starts at @richmond_greys straight!

Results: https://t.co/J0ET37lSkC#thedogs @RaceQLD @TheDogsSA pic.twitter.com/o0mD2LMlZF

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 27, 2022

The Championship title added to the Straight Of Origin he won at Capalaba a few weeks ago.

Hill was “over the moon” with the victory.

“Lots of high fiving,” he said. “And, now lots of celebration.

“Full credit to Darren. Jason Thompson told us to send the dog to him after the operation with the proviso he keep him to straight racing.

“This is the result.”

Hill said any straight track feature coming up in the future could be Mr America's target.

That would obviously include the Capalaba Cup series on October 2 and 9 worth $60,000.

In the meantime, Capalaba will also run the Grand Prix on September 18 and 25 worth $10,000.

Mr America was away quickly and emerged along the rails racing away to win with command.

Milligan finished gamely into second.

The victory took Mr America's career record to 43 starts for 25 wins and eight placings for stakes of $97,000.