Sky's The Limit For Robert Smith Maiden Winner

MR. Peregrine has confirmed his status as one of the sport's most exciting rising stars with a gritty victory in the Robert Smith Memorial Maiden (515m) at The Gardens on Saturday night.

The final success wasn't in the blistering near track record fashion of his heat romp but you could quite easily argue it was even more impressive.

Doing everything he could to get himself beat in transit, Mr. Peregrine, a son of Barcia Bale and Angel Glow, still had the fortitude to knuckle down late and land the $20,000 winner's prize, defeating a gallant Sapphire Banner by three-quarters of a length in 29.72.

The winning time was a far cry from the 29.14 he posted when winning his heat by the length of the straight but given the way he overcame adversity in the run he proved he had the hardened edge you need if you're to surge through the grades.

WHOOSHKA!

Mr. Peregrine has produced a finale that will knock your socks off to claim the 2024 Robert Smith Memorial Maiden.

The litter brother to Not Without took a while to wind up but boy did he unleash late to overhaul Sapphire Banner.#thedogs #greyhoundsracing pic.twitter.com/2em4et31gK

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) February 17, 2024

For trainers John and Jane Carruthers, the Robert Smith Memorial Maiden victory was their first venture to The Gardens in 15 years since now top stud dog Magic Sprite launched his career with a feature maiden success at the track in 2009.

"Oh my goodness," Jane said post race. "I can't believe it. That was an amazing win. That was so good. He missed it (the start) by a minute and had to do it the hard way.

"It's a real honour to win this race. "I used to speak to him (Robert Smith) and I really don't talk to many people. My husband knew him quite well and he was just a tremendous person, and a gentleman of the sport."

The Robert Smith Memorial Maiden is named in honour of the late Hunter Valley conditioner who for decades was in the top echelon of greyhound trainers.

His crowning glory came in the 2010 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park with Lochinvar Marlow but closest to his heart was grand bitch Miss Elly Mint which broke all kinds of records during her remarkable career.

Smith passed away in 2021 following a battle with cancer and not long after close friend and primary owner Kevin Gordon made moves to get this annual race off the ground in his memory at his home track.

The first staging in 2022 saw French Martini launch her career with victory in the race before going on to enjoy a fantastic career at group race level.

Going off the sensational performances by Mr. Peregrine, there's every chance he'll follow in her footsteps with a very bright future ahead.

Runner-up Sapphire Banner is nearing a win for Lee Rodgers having begun her career with second placed finishes in both the Maitland Future Stars and Robert Smith Maiden while third placegetter Power And Glory has a bright future for Ken Burnett when he learns to put his unbridled talent to good use.