Rushforth Ally Smashes Grafton Track Record

RUSHFORTH Ally tossed his hat into the ring for the upcoming ultimate test of speed, The Thunderbolt, after smashing the Grafton 350m track record on Sunday night.

The son of Aston Dee Bee and Len's Pick ran 19.52, eclipsing the previous mark of 19.64 held by Robert Cooke's star Cash Master set last year.

He scored by three and three-quarter lengths as the $1.50 favourite beating Carramar Drive and Lady Virginia in the Free For All.

Rushforth Ally finished third in The Thunderbolt behind Vamoose in 2023.

The Thunderbolt heats will be run during June at several provincial venues with the semi-finals to be run at Grafton on June 16 with the $75,000-to-the-winner final on June 22.

Raced by Robert MacMurray, Rushforth Ally is trained by Des Winters.

It was the Winters family's first track record breaker.

“We have had a problem with him in the past with his box manners,” said Des.

“He hit his head on the lids a couple of times and one of those was in the heats of The Thunderbolt last year.

Congratulations to the Grafton qualifiers for the GRNSW Thunderbolt ⚡ – Rushforth Ally, Crumble Monelli, Vamoose and Cash Destroyer!

Bring on the semi-finals at Grafton on Sunday! #thedogs #greyhoundracing #TheThunderbolt @greyhounds_wa pic.twitter.com/DbTyQZngxO

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 14, 2023

“It stopped him jumping until just recently.

“We gave him a bit of box work just lately and last night he came out beautifully.”

Rushforth Ally is a kennel favourite, naturally, after winning 19 of his 45 career starts and $58,000 in stakes.

But, he is the particular favourite of the Winters' 21 month old great granddaughter Daisy Delaforce.

“She just loves him and every time she comes into the kennels, Daisy has to give him cuddles,” said Des.

“It is lovely to see.”

The Winters admitted The Thunderbolt is “in the back of our minds” but there is still almost three months before that series is run.