Numbers may have been low, but the depth was certainly there in the 2018 Ready 2 Race heats at Bendigo on Monday.
55 greyhounds lined up in 17 heats, with all fit greyhounds advancing to the finals which will consist of six dog races on Saturday 17 November – giving buyers another opportunity to see their potential purchases compete on the track.
Lightning Ben (lot 64) was the fastest qualifying greyhound in the heats clocking 23.952sec (6.59, 11.40) in a two-dog field against Yohan (lot 75).
Lightning Ben was bred by Anthony McVicker, nominated by Luke Miller and is currently trained by Craig Treherne. The son of Shifty Sticka and Francine has had 17 starts for two wins and three minor placings before the Ready 2 Race series.
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Watch Lightning Ben compete in race five of the Ready 2 Race heats on Monday at Bendigo from box three.
“31 greyhounds broke 24.50sec over the 425 metres which is a big positive,” Bendigo Greyhound Racing Association Club Manager Troy Harley said.
“There is nothing exceptional in the Sales this year, but the depth is stronger than it has ever been despite the drop in breeding numbers.”
Despite there being no absolute standouts, Harley liked the litter that Mandy Dapiran had engaged in the series.
“The Daprin’s have some handy ones who went quick early and got to the line strong,” Harley said.
My Bro Fabio x Grand Illision; whelped 19/11/16
Breeder and nominator Mandy Dapiran
1) Ash (Lot 5) Won his heat from box five in a time of 24.104sec
2) Rush (Lot 28) Ran third in his heat from box four in a time of 24.780sec.
3) Sootie (Lot 32) Won her heat from box two in a time of 24.305sec.
4) Scar (Lot 44) Ran third in his heat from box five in a time of 24.937sec.
5) Chillin (Lot 68) Won her heat from box seven in a time of 24.082sec.
6) Shorty (Lot 79) Won his heat from box four in a time of 24.486sec.
“I also like the look of Des Dooley’s Levi (Lot 55) who mustered well to win his heat in 24.200sec from box six.”
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Watch Levi compete in race 10 of the Ready 2 Race heats on Monday at Bendigo from box six.
If you are going to take one bit of information from this article it’s Troy Harley’s dog to watch.
Pipes (Lot 21)
Black female
Barcia Bale x Fantastic Blue
Whelped on 8/2/17
Bred and nominated by Des Dooley
“One dog I think will really improve on Saturday is Pipes. She was in a rough heat but once she got through, she was able to win by the equal longest margin of 4.75 lengths,” Harley said.
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Watch Pipes compete in race 13 of the Ready 2 Race heats on Monday at Bendigo from box three.
For all heats results click HERE
For the 2018 Ready 2 Race Catalogue click HERE
Saturday November 17 is Final and Auction day. The greyhounds will compete in a six dog field for potential buyers in the morning with the Auction held at Lords Raceway in Bendigo that afternoon.
Racing commences at 11.15am with the auction beginning at 1.30pm.
