Brothers brilliant again


Robert Britton’s star litter brothers Tornado Tears and Rippin’ Sam defended their respective Speed Star titles last night setting new race records in the process.

Tornado Tears (pictured above) was the first to go in the Speed Star 595 event and was made to earn every cent of his winners cheque by gallant kennel mate Benali. Despite drawing on the inside for the match race, Tornado Tears was beaten for early pace and trailed Benali by over two lengths past the past the first time. He closed the gap down and as Benali rolled off the fence turning for home Tornado Tears railed strongly to win the match in a slick 33.668. The time was the second fastest ever recorded over the distance, and slashed a tenth of a second off the time he set in May’s Speed Star series.

“I wasn’t expecting a run like that,” said handler Peter Riley.

“I thought he might go similar to what he ran in the Battle of the Brothers the other week (33.774), but he just amazes me this dog.”

Benali ran the race of his life behind the three time group 1 winner and even Riley conceded he was a little concerned in the run.

“The way Benali began and ran those early splits – he’s a dog we’re targeting over distance races so I thought we might have been in a bit of trouble – but Tornado Tears, he’s just a super dog.”

It was ‘Batman’s 18th victory from 27 starts and took his career earnings past $492,000.

Ella Enchanted ran second overall after an eye catching match race win over Neo Cleo, stopping the clock in 33.729 and stamping her as a greyhound to watch in coming months.

 

Tornado Tears shows all of his champion qualities to defeat Benali in a thrilling Speed Star 595 event

 

In the Speed Star Stayers, Rippin’ Sam was simply dominant, clocking a brilliant 41.251.

The noted back marker continued to show improved box manners to settle close behind star Western Australian stayer Moment To Jive before unleashing his famous finishing burst, moving through his gears and racing to a brilliant victory in the third fastest 715m gallop ever recorded.

It was another memorable Speed Star night for Britton after winning six matches on the card and pocketing $74,500 of the $190,000 in prize money available (he won seven matches and $95,500 in Speed Star 6).

Stud sensation Fernando Bale also enjoyed a landmark evening, siring all three main event winners and seven matches in all, with his progeny winning $117,000 on the night.

In the main Speed Star event, trainer Seona Thompson claimed her third title after Poke The Bear ran a scintillating 29.122 over the 515m.

Click here for results from Speed Star VII.
Click here for replays of all 20 match races.

 

Rippin’ Sam reminds everyone why he is regarded one of the country’s most brilliant stayers

 

 

Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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