The slippery Swimming Goat emphatically proved he is the best short course sprinter in the nation when he scampered to his effortless victory in Sunday’s $25,000 Railway Sprint.
Pictured Swimming Goat following his Railway Sprint win
The Group 1 318m sprint was all over as a contest when the Calum Weir mentored flying machine on paws cut out his first sectional in a swift 4.45s. His start from the two trap was an exact replica of the start he made when he won the only other Group 1 race on the national calendar for the straight out speed merchants. It was in November when he exploded from trap five to deliver his effortless win the $30,000 Galaxy Sprint.
Swimming Goat cruised through his 318m assignment, clocking 18.38s, when leading home the Lisa Cole prepared Allegro Lass by a three length margin She slipped around the outer after leaping from the eight-trap. That effort earned this Cole bred and owned sprinter the $1,000 bonus payment attached to this Group 1 dash by being the first New Zealand bred finisher.
It was a real gutsy sprint the Ben Craik trained Simple And Plain produced as she was denied early racing room from the five trap. Undeterred she knuckled down to her task which saw her claiming third just a head behind, while holding a l.75 length advantage over the fourth placed Eva Diva from the Denis Schofield kennels.
Group 1 Railway winner Swimming Goat; runner up Allegro Lass; third placed Simple And Plain
Swimming Goat has been a publicity machine on paws for New Zealand greyhound racing since he arrived from Australia a year ago. His series of winning streaks, which included the national record of 22 consecutive race wins, has been well documented. Prior to his Manukau visit all of his Kiwi races had been over the Addington 295m sprint, which includes his 17.69s 295m track record.
It was a brave effort by this son of El Grand Senor and Kingsbrae Molly just to make the Railway Sprint final after he endured a horror road trip north from Weir’s Canterbury base. His trainer considered scratching him, however race morning improvement saw him electing to leave him in his heat. During it he was caught in a degree of jostling on the turn, which ultimately saw him making the Railway final with just a head to spare when running second.
The experienced gained on that first trip saw a much more relaxed Swimming Goat making the return trek north as Weir mentioned, “He snoozed all the way up this time.” The win also saw Weir bouncing back after his sound Plasterboard Auckland Cup contender Zipping Jordan was wiped out and nearly fell during the early rush just 40 minutes earlier.
“Jumping clear made it so much easier for him – his fast first sectional helped to take him clear. I was able to relax and watch him after his start. This is huge to come away from Addington to win another Group 1 race on a completely different track. Yes, I’m rapt to achieve the Group 1 double with him.
“I planned this race a long time ago, but as we know plans doesn’t always work out the way you want them to. What is also very special for us was him winning this for the huge fan base he has generated both here and in Australia. At this stage we’ll carry on with him back at home (Addington),” advised Weir about the winner of 46 from his 59 career races. He has placed on a further eight occasions which now sees him being only a tick over another three C5 sprint wins away from cracking the $100,000 stakes barrier ($95,465).
Calum Weir and May Cutler with Swimming Goat; Auckland president John Roberts made the race presentations; on course compere Tommy Thompson interviewing Calum Weir post race
By Peter Fenemor-The Dogs
