Respectability Roars Into Lismore Cup Decider

 ILUKA'S premier greyhound trainer Mick Patterson admits Respectability is not ideally suited by the Casino track, but that will not stop him going into next week's Group 2 Lismore Gold Cup final (484m) the raging hot favourite.

Respectability (Raw Ability-Fay's Magic) was sensational in winning his heat on Tuesday night in 27.25 scoring by an ever-increasing eight and three-quarter lengths over Queensland Group star Tungsten Miss.

The Casino track record is held by Fernando Blaster at 26.91.

After drawing box eight in the final, Respectability, despite taking on a classy final line-up in what will be the final Lismore Gold Cup, he is certain to become hot favourite.

Respectability has opened the @ladbrokescomau Lismore GBOTA Cup Heats at Casino tonight with a bang, clocking 27.25 in his win over Tungsten Miss, who will also join him in the final next week!

Full Results: https://t.co/qiWG26kh8g#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/XtabpGvGqq

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) December 13, 2022

Group 2 Lismore Gold Cup (484m): 1 Black Magic Rose, 2 Shaye, 3Tungsten Miss, 4 Sauve Ripple, 5 Boys Light Up, 6 Serengetti, 7 Cataclysmic, 8 Respectability. Res: 9 Rapid Ripple, 10 Context.

“If I got the chance to pick what box I wanted for him in the final, it would be the eight,” said Mick.

“But, Casino is not a track you can give start to the leaders and it is very difficult to come three wide there and win.”

But, Mick has faith in his dog.

Respectability's form slipped in his previous campaign and Mick decided to give his dog a good break.

“He has come back from the spell much matured,” he said.

“I took him to Casino for his first trial back. It was his first circle run for about eight or nine weeks and he absolutely flew.

“I took him back a week later and he went better.”

Mick headed Respectability to the Group 3 Casino Cup after that and the dog chased home Take Two in the final.

Here's the box draw for the @ladbrokescomau Lismore GBOTA Cup at Casino next week!

Who are you on?#thedogs #greyhoundracing @tabcomau @sportsbetcomau @TopSport_com_au @NedsAus @BlueBetAu @PalmerbetAU pic.twitter.com/sxSMeN8VEa

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) December 13, 2022

With the last Lismore Cup scheduled, it made sense for Respectability to stay at Casino and he was sensational in his heat win.

Other heat winners were:

Serengetti in 27.58 over Shaye

Boys Light Up in 27.40 over Cataclysmic

Sauve Ripple in 27.77 over Black Magic Rose

Patterson will keep Respectability fresh for next week's final.

“He's naturally strong so he does not need to do any work in between heat and final,” said Mick who rates Respectability a faster dog than his former champion Group performer He Knows Uno.

Of his rivals, he rates Respectability's litter sister Black Magic Rose hard to beat off the rails.

“She was having her first run back from a break and will be improved,” said Mick. “The draw suits her. But, it is such a tough final.”

Patterson cannot wait to get back to Albion Park with Respectability for the up-coming Summer Carnival.

“Isn't Queensland racing on the go ahead,” said Mick.

“The rumours of the number of NSW trainers heading north is staggering.
“I'm keen for my bloke to take on those match race type races.

“My programming advisor Mark Wilkes over at Casino agrees with me.”

Sarah and Andrew Monaghan landed the Ladbrokes Lismore Maiden final (411m) with Omar Dutton in a flying 23.18 the son of Hooked On Scotch scoring by a length and a half over favourite Swish with eight lengths top Pan's Rose in third.

It was a momentous occasion and continued a fabulous run of success for the Monaghan family.

They have reared the winners of the three feature maiden series on the Northern Rivers, the Pop Northfield, the Jacaranda Maiden and now the Lismore Maiden.

“I have tried to find out if anyone else has reared the winners of these three maidens before,” said Sarah.

It's a feat we are very proud of.”