Crazy Cool nabs the Golden Ticket

By Isaac Murphy

Crazy Cool has upset her rivals by taking out the second running of the Group 3 Golden Ticket, as well as securing a direct entry into the Group 1 Gold Bullion Final in a fortnight’s time.

The finals format saw last week’s heat winners and runners-up pair off in four two dog match races, and after Crazy Cool won her second match race in a sizzling 29.61, it left trainer Rob Jacobsen with a nervous wait if the time would hold up.

“She got herself into a terrible position in last week’s heat and still ran 29.87, I knew if she came out humming and found the lead, she could go 29.6 and she was damn close,” the trainer said.

“It’s a quick time but the four dogs to come were all quicker than that last week, I would have liked to have been in the one box and gone in the 50s.”

The maiden Group win was cemented after the final two match races, with Tommy Shelby (29.75) and What a Debacle (29.77) both unable to better Crazy Cool’s time.

“As pleasing as it’s been to see her run placings in Group 2 races over the last month, I knew if she put it all together, she could win a race like this and she put it all together on the night,” Jacobsen said.

“It’s very humbling to beat seven of the best dogs going around, there’s more than one champion that’s going to come out of this race.

“The Group 3 and prize money is fantastic, but not having to worry about beating a full field in the heats of the Gold Bullion next week is even better, we’ll have her tuned up for the Final I just hope we snag box one.”

The win could be the front end of the biggest week in Jacobsen’s racing life when he sees Rowdy Roddy line up in the Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, and it’s fair to say that the trainer is enjoying the ride.

“Never would I have dreamed with four dogs in the kennel I’d have two in Group finals in the one week, to win here at home is great but if we can run a race in Sydney – wow,” he said.

“I’ll be biting my nails on the couch at home watching him go around on Saturday night, I’d love to be there but I’ve got to take care of things here.

“We’ll just try to soak this in tonight, we race for enjoyment and it doesn’t get much better than this.”

Crazy Cool was a clear winner of the race but those behind literally had nothing between them.

Brian Baker’s Speranza ran a 29.74-second race, Tommy Shelby and Cheap Wine dead-heated at 29.75 seconds, with What a Debacle (29.77) and Sentenced (29.79) following, all of whom will be huge contenders in next week’s Group 1 Gold Bullion heats.

Big Boy Bruce fights off stiff competition

The second feature of the night was the Clem Jones Cup for the stayers, and it was Albion Park’s Greyhound of the Year Big Boy Bruce for popular trainer couple Mary and Ray Burman who staved off Group 1 winner Here’s Tears to land the prize.

“I wouldn’t trade him for the world, there were better dogs in that field tonight but he’s got a will to win - you can’t teach this fella,” Mary Burman said.

“Everyone knows the way he races over the 700; goes to the front and says ‘catch me if you can,’ Here’s Tears just couldn’t cross him - he doesn’t like to lose and we saw that tonight.

“It’s great to see him run sub-42 seconds (41.86) and if he can bring that form for the Gold Cup heats, he gives himself half a chance in Group 1 company.”

Mayoress claims Australia Day Trophy

The other notable winner on the night was Steve Scott’s Mayoress, who ran them ragged in the Australia Day Trophy for the Best 7 dogs, and was Scott happy with how his youngster is progressing.

“We knew we were putting her in the deep end with the Golden Ticket heats last week but with time that’s where we hope she can get to and by missing out she wins a really nice race this week.”

“The only thing I’m a little disappointed about is not taking her to the National Futurity heats in Sydney; her box manners are fantastic, and I think she would have really tested them around Wentworth Park.

“She’s not quite an open class Group bitch yet, but for her age she’s right up there and hopefully with natural progression she’ll get to where we want her.”