Highly under-rated middle-distance performer Perfect Marshall laid down the law to a couple of big names in the $75,000-to-the-winner Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows tonight.
Prepared at Pearcedale by Janet Cottrell, Perfect Marshall ($8.60) caused an upset leading all the way from box one to narrowly defeat reigning G1 Sandown Cup hero Rajasthan ($4.40) and last week’s G2 Cranbourne Cup winner Often Imitated ($3.80) in 34.36sec.
WATCH: Perfect Marshall ran a flawless race from Box 1.
A model of consistency, Perfect Marshall – who was making his group race debut – notched his fifth win from 10 starts over The Meadows 600m trip. He also has a penchant for box one, with four wins from five starts from the ‘red’ trap.
Finding the early lead, along with a slice of good fortune, were key components in Perfect Marshall’s win – a fact not lost on owner Mark Dooley.
“He began well, got challenged down the back, and kicked away in the straight,” Dooley said. “I couldn’t ask for any more, to be honest.”
“We’ve had faster dogs over the years than him, but none that are as consistent and that probably chase as good as him. It’s the name of the game in greyhound racing, if you’re out in front you make your own luck.”
Bred by Dooley’s father, Des, Perfect Marshall (Nov ’16 Kinloch Brae x Perfect Tess) notched his 17th win from 38 starts. His stakes spiralled to $140,225.
Pawnote: Lara trainer Robert Camilleri, who prepares Rajasthan, finished fifth in last year’s Rookie Rebel with Slingshot Hammer.
Ironically, Slingshot Hammer obtained a start as a reserve in tonight’s G1 Temlee and finished third to Whiskey Riot.
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