Interstate Stars Issue Straight Track Warning

INTERSTATE raiders have thrown down the gauntlet to NSW stars for the August 27 National Straight Track Championship final at Richmond.

At Capalaba, Tony Brett's Milligan downed straight track star Bogie Fury by three lengths in a fast 19.59.

At Healesville, Daniel Gibbons' kennelmates and littermates Quinlan Bale and Nicholson Bale ran one-two in the Victorian final on a bog track in 19.42.

Last week, at Murray Bridge, Tim Richards' classy straight-tracker He's On Fire at $1.25 downed I'm Gifted Too in 19.05. It was his 20th win in 40 starts and fourth straight at the track.

Star Queensland dog man Tony Brett continues to his dominance on the greyhound circuit scene, this time with speedster MILLIGAN who rockets home for honours in the QLD Straight Track Championship ?

Next stop, @richmond_greys ?@Capalabagreys pic.twitter.com/wfKObXUQTw

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) August 14, 2022

Breeder-owner Steve Williams is planning a “long weekend” in Sydney to coincide with Milligan's bid for National Straight Track honours and will also attend the Group 1 Nationals at Wentworth Park that weekend.

“It will be a great weekend so we have got to go to both of the big meetings,” said Steve.

Williams said as soon as the box draw was completed for the Capalaba final, trainer Brett was supremely confident Milligan (Keybow-Velocity Charm) would be hard to beat.

“That dog of Ryan Ayre's (Bogie Fury) is a really great dog up Capalaba,” said Williams. “He flew out and led our bloke easily, but Milligan was just too strong at the end.

“Tony has been confident all week.

“It's great they have both made the final at Richmond and it all depends on where they drawn for the final, and especially how they trial.”

Quinlan Bale began only fairly at Healesville but stormed through the centre on a heavy track to make yet another feature race final.

The son of Feral Franky and Ethla Allen has already been in the Mount Gambier Cup, Bob Payne Sprint and Wagga Cup.  His brother Nicholson Bale was a recent finalist in the Warragul St Leger.

But, waiting for them at Richmond will be a select field of home track specialists who clash next weekend in a bid to chase the $25,000 winner's purse for the grand final.

Upset!

Sacred Stance has knocked off Mr. American in @ladbrokescomau NSW National Straight Track Championship Heat 3 – in a blistering time of 17.39 – to set up an awesome Final next Saturday!

Full Results: https://t.co/2MV974tc4E#thedogs #greyhoundracing #Nationals pic.twitter.com/czG14WMpaO

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 13, 2022

Michelle Sultana is hoping Sacred Stance can draw wide again in the NSW final.

“We trialled him at Richmond and the ticket we got said he had gone 16.98 but we think it clocked the lure instead,” she said of the lead-up to the heats.

“But, we added four tenths to that run and that's what he went to beat Mr America in his heat.

“And, we snapped up the $4 they bet about him too. We were very confident.

“You would think he can only improve for the state final.

“But it is crucial he draws outside Mr America next weekend because he crashes to the rails.”

The son of Beast Unleashed is unbeaten in two starts for Michelle.