Distance Champ Palawa King Proves Errol's Saviour

JACK Smith knew owner Errol Hughes would not be at The Meadows on Saturday night to see his great stayer Palawa King win the Group 1 National Distance Chanpionship.

“Errol doesn't leave the lounge room,” said Jack. “He's happy to watch all the dog's races from there.

“But, the trouble is, Errol has only just got his lounge room back.”

Errol lost half his house in Forbes, twice, during the floods that hit the area late last year.

It is a home Jack Smith sold him.

Palawa King (Feral Franky-Maximum Dos) got off the floor after being severely checked on the turn out of the back straight to win the final in 42.70 beating early leader Fast Minardi.

"Sounds good – THE KING!" ?

The wildcard wins the National Distance Championship for NSW!

? All hail Palawa King… we spoke to Jack Smith after King's brave, brave win at @MelbourneGreys tonight!#thedogs @WatchDogRacing pic.twitter.com/jwMFN0S9rx

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 26, 2023

It took his record to 44 starts for 20 wins and 14 placings and his earnings to $530,000.

The victory was the result of a long-range plan by Smith to have Palawa King primed for the final.

“That's why we took him back for those couple of runs at The Meadows over 600 metres, and then when he got the wild card entry into the final, all the stars lined up for us,” he said.

But when that check came approaching the turn out of the back straight, Jack thought victory was lost.

“I won't tell you what I said to him at that moment,” he joked.

Palawa King will probably go on to the Sydney Cup during the Million Dollar Chase carnival although Jack is reluctant to keep racing him over 700m constantly.

“When you race them week to week over 700 metres, it dulls their speed,” he said.

“I don't want to do that with him.”

Jack is reluctant to rate Palawa King against his other kennel stars, recent champs like his own sire Feral Franky, Jungle Deuce and Miss Ezmae.

“He's got to be right up there with the boys,” he said.

“And, he's won half a million dollars and is only half way through his career.

“So it is way too early to be judging him, and comparing him with any dog.”