Sacred Stance Sets Healesville Cup Pace

SACRED Stance is the fastest qualifier for the Healesville Cup after a brilliant heat win up the straight on Sunday afternoon.

The sole interstate trained runner in the series, Sacred Stance began brilliantly from box two and despite drifting off the track, carved out a slick 6.39 first split.

Quinlan Bale, winner of the recent Arrow match race series at the venue, chased gallantly but couldn't reel in the leader, Sacred Stance charging into the $50,000-to-the-winner final as the fastest qualifier in 19.07.

Amazingly, the Michelle Sultana trained son of Beast Unleashed started a $5.60 chance in the heat despite his eye catching 19.08 trial the week prior.

New South Wales visitor SACRED STANCE set a sizzling time standard for the five heat winners of the Group 2 #HealesvilleCup at @HVLGreys.

The promising UNLEASH COLLINDA was not far behind SACRED STANCE.#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/OzcsOIpnZ4

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) September 4, 2022

Quinlan Bale's chances of a maiden group race success were boosted following the box draw however, coming up with box one with Sacred Stance drawn box three.

Sacred Stance's time eclipsed Unleashed Collinda's 19.08 set the heat prior.

Trained by Jason Thompson, Unleashed Collinda faced the biggest test of his 10 start career and passed with flying colours, defeating defending champion Ferdinand Boy by 2.5 lengths.

Series favourite Panama Canal took out the opening qualifier in 19.19.

His winning time was some five lengths off the time he ran a week earlier, however the $1.04 chance proved far too good in defeating Master Ogilvie by 2.5 lengths.

The run impressed the bookmakers to install Panama Canal $3.30 favourite for the final despite drawing box six.

The 2022 Healesville Cup Box Draw!

Let us know who you think wins below ? pic.twitter.com/WIWjuSjhRn

— Healesville Greyhounds (@HVLGreys) September 4, 2022

Action Girl crossed quickly from box seven, and despite being inconvenience once on the fence, progressed to the final two lengths clear of rising four-year-old Riccarton Rick.

The final heat was taken out by Nicolson Bale in 19.24 to give Daniel Gibbons two runners in the final.

The three quarters of a length margin was the closest of the five heats, and just four lengths separated the seven runners across the line.

Typhoon Sammy ran second to also give Jason Thompson two in the final, with Typhoon Sammy in line for a $50,000 bonus from GRV if he can win his third country cup.

The group 3 Healesville Cup final will be run on Sunday 11 September.