It’s fair to suggest that based on her The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint series times that Thursday’s edition of the $35,000 sprint is Sheza Rippa’s Group 1 title to lose. Her conditioners Dave and Jean Fahey have done a magnificent job in producing this speed merchant to deliver four slippery Addington 295m wins since she resumed from a spell.
Pictured: Sheza Rippa delivering her sharp Galaxy Sprint semi win (pic Dave Robbie)
Sheza Rippa completed her 295m heat assignment in 17.05s, which she then improved on when delivering her 17.01s semi win. That’s the reason why this Punters HQ owned short course specialist is the warm $2.50 TAB Final Field favourite (option 907).
“She has come back super and we couldn’t be any more pleased with what she has been doing. Her draw (six) is tricky, so hopefully she can use her early pace to clear the others,” advised Dave Fahey. He correctly indicates the main factor that could deny her a deserved win in this dash and with it her trainer’s a third Galaxy Sprint title after Paperbond (2015) and Octane Spark (2010) prevailed.
Lurking as a distinct winning prospect is the Lisa Cole prepared visitor Sir Duggie ($3.40) who really caught the eye with his superb 17.14s Galaxy semi win. He was making his Addington track debut outing after having been exempted from contesting the heats. There’s no doubt he would have derived benefit from that bold first up track effort.
“We’re rapt with the way he handled Addington in his first look down there. This fella is a very serious sprinter who certainly can make his presence felt in the final and he has come through his race super. The only slight concern we have is his draw as he tends to move off the rail a bit,” advised Brendon Cole who prepared Black Tie (2008) and Hifi Allegro (2009) to Galaxy Sprint titles. .
Chitina Tin ($3.60) is a promising up and coming Addington 295m sprinter. Strength is his best asset and he displayed that in the strong manner he completed his 17.18s semi win by a four length margin after he was also exempted from having to contest the heats. This Alison Lee prepared sprinter is seeking to emulate Clone Your Own’s 2012 Galaxy Sprint win for Lee.
“He’s a really nice greyhound who is still improving with each start as he learns about the racing game. We’re glad he has drawn out wide (trap seven) as he isn’t electric early, however he has amazing early acceleration. I can see him getting a nice early sit behind Sheza Rippa from where hopefully his strength can bring him home. He’s all set to go on Thursday’s,” confirmed the trainers partner Merv O’Brian.
Bruce Dann is a long time local industry participant who is seeking to end a long Galaxy hiatus after having trained a winner of this dash back in the old QE11 track days. He will be loading away the consistent Addington 295m sprinter Fired Up Jed ($9.20) into the three trap on Thursday. He completed his heat outing by finishing second, then he went onto to stylishly win his semi in 17.16s.
“He has been heading the right way since he came back from a spell. He has also come up with the right side of the draw. He’s going to have to jump and run if he’s going to feature. He has a 5.85s first sectional which can put him into contention if matching that time. He pulled up really good from his semi,” confirmed Dann.
Delivering their respective The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint semi wins were (from left): Sir Duggie; Chitina Tin; Fired Up Jed – pics Dave Robbie
Calum Weir is returning to contest this final with Dizzy Banjo ($19) and he’s seeking to make it a hat trick of Galaxy Sprint victories after his slippery sprinter Swimming Goat won the last two editions for him. He won his Galaxy heat in 17.27s and he then gamely chased home Sheza Rippa four lengths behind her in his heat.
“I’m pleased to still be in this year’s series. I rated Rocket Raccoon as my leading chance before, however this bloke has done us proud in getting there (final). He doesn’t mind the middle draws so I’m all okay with his four trap draw. He’s pretty much an all or nothing sprinter – therefore hopefully he picks the jump. We bred him, so it’s special he’s made it this far. He’s all ready for Thursday,” stated Weir who also added, “Swimming Goat is really enjoying his retirement. He’s a 100 percent plus – lording over our property as if he owns it.”
Craig Roberts dominated the Galaxy Sprint back in the early 2000’s when preparing four winners. On this occasion he has qualified two finalists and it’s fair to suggest that he’s isn’t overly rapt with either of his contenders draws.
Oskitz ($14) will hop away from the two trap, while Platinum Marshall ($20) will be sighted wearing the pink racing vest here. Oskitz delivered a pair of heat and semi seconds with his semi second coming via his strong finishing four length second to Chitina Tin. His heat second was delivered from trap two.
Platinum Marshall is a known strong finishing sprinter who isn’t known for his early pace at trap rise. He was sighted pressing on stoutly during the run home when winding up 3.25 lengths astern of Sir Duggie in his heat.
“I thought that Oskitz was massive in his both of his Galaxy sprints. He’s a chance of getting some of it if he positions himself handy to the pace makers when turning for home. He’s a big boy (38kg) who can use his weight to advantage.
“Platinum Marshal lost all chance with that draw. His box manners are poor even though he occasionally picks the jump. He can run time is he gets away okay. Both boys are all good for the final,” said Roberts.
John McInerney is also a previous successful Galaxy Sprint winning trainer having mentored the winner of the 2001, 2004, 2007 and the 2014 Galaxy finals. He will be loading away Sergess ($39) into trap five for this final. Her series so far has comprised of a heat third, followed by her 5.25 length semi second behind Fired Up Jasper.
“She’s got the same draw as what Norm (Wheelchair) had last year. Never mind, at least we have a runner in it again which is good for Mark (Thompson, co-owner). She tends to run pretty much in the middle of the track so maybe it’ll work out okay for her. If she can beat the six dog out, then she’s a chance of getting some of it. She has come through her sprints all good,” suggested Jonathon McInerney who added the following about the retired Wheelchair Norm, “He’s 110 percent at home, enjoying life. He’s just waiting for a plane ride home now (to Sydney).”
The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint finals contenders (from left): Dizzy Banjo; Oskitz; Platinum Marshall; Sergess, plus also the reserves Idol Hot and Goldstar Jay Jay - pics Dave Robbie
The first reserve is the Marcie Flipp trained Idol Hot ($17) who wound up a 4.75 length semi third to Sheza Rippa. She has placed in two of her three 295m sprints at this venue and she will line up in the last race 295m dash, which is effectively the Galaxy Sprint consolation if she isn’t required here. Goldstar Jay Jay ($56) is the Galaxy second reserve for local trainers Steve and Bonnie Evans. Her 3.4 length heat third behind Sir Duggie contained merit.
Pawnote: It’s going to be a race within a race in this final with seven of the ten listed greyhounds in The Fitz Sports Bar Galaxy Sprint final being Kiwi bred sprinters. That means an intriguing paw wrestle looms to see which sprinter will claim the $1000 Breeders bonus that is paid to the first locally bred sprinter to finish in this Group 1 final.
By Peter Fenemor
