Sacred Stance Stars In Healesville Cup Thriller

NEW South Wales sprinter Sacred Stance upstaged a star-studded local line-up to claim a thrilling edition of the Group 3 Healesville Cup on Sunday afternoon.

But the Michelle Sultana trained son of Launching Pad winner Beast Unleashed was forced to work hard for the $50,000 winner's cheque.

Defending champion Ferdinand Boy and Typhoon Sammy – aiming for his third country cup in 2022 – stepped best from out wide to lead early as Nicholson Bale (5) switched wide.

The New South Wales visitor SACRED STANCE has held off a fast-finishing QUINLAN BALE in the $78,795 Group 2 #HealesvilleCup Final at @HVLGreys.#GreyhoundRacing @Thedogs_com_au pic.twitter.com/M5W1lHHjj3

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) September 11, 2022

As he did in his heat victory, Sacred Stance looked to push off the track, coming together with Unleashed Collinda then Panama Canal and Typhoon Sammy as they passed the 250m mark before finding the lead.

In a driving finish, Quinlan Bale railed strongly as Typhoon Sammy and Action Girl dived late, but it was Sacred Stance who prevailed to claim the $50,000 first prize in 19.135.

Quinlan Bale and Typhoon Sammy filled the minor placings with just half a length separating the placegetters, while favourite Panama Canal finished last just 4.75L from the winner.

It was just reward for connections, the Cup final being the third time in three weeks they'd made the 1000km trip from their Sawyers Gully kennels to Healesville, having trialled in an impressive 19.08 in his first look at the straight before winning his heat in 19.08.

Despite being the fastest qualifier, Sacred Stance began the $5.30 third elect for the final.

In claiming the final, Sacred Stance became the first interstate trained greyhound to win the Healesville Cup since Marbo Man in 2011.

The win was Sacred Stance's 12^th from 18 career starts – his fourth from eight wins since joining Sultana's kennel – and has now won over $81,000 in prize money.