Dolly Dutton and Adulate demand high-stakes, southern campaigns

By Pat McLeod

Two astute greyhound mentors, Andrew Monaghan and Tony Zammit, exited Albion Park on Thursday night with their minds working overtime on possible lucrative southern campaigns.

Their plans for big race assaults were super-charged by stand out performances from Monaghan’s Dolly Dutton and Zammit’s Adulate.

Both greyhounds were already highly rated by their trainers and form analysts.

However on Thursday night both chasers continued to display distinct changes in race patterns that can catapult them to even greater outcomes.

Dolly Dutton again showed she is a more consistent box dog, launching very well from the red box to lead all the way in the final of the Publicans Cup fifth grade Final over 520 metres.

She completed the journey in a very respectable 29.89 seconds, one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Icy Eyes (trained by Selena Zammit) and Caramel Queen (Jedda Cutlack).

“When she came out like she did I knew that it would take a very good one to get her,” Monaghan said post-race.

“She is learning and she is getting her start going very well at the moment. She is a very strong bitch.”

With her starts now less a concern, the Barcia Bale - Precious Sal chaser is pushing Monaghan towards higher hanging fruit.

“There is no doubt we will have to start looking around at Sydney for some good races because she has shown she can do it,” Monaghan said.

“I have no doubt that with the right draw and a little bit more experience she is a Group 1 dog. I realise it is a big step to say that, but she has the ability to do that.

“The Million Dollar Chase is not above her, but it comes with a lot of travel. The Ipswich Cup is certainly a possibility. She loves Ipswich. She grows a leg there. So that is probably on the list.

“She has not always been a reliable beginner. But, the last three starts she has got it right, so with a bit of age I guess she is learning.”

Tony Zammit was having similar thoughts of a southern campaign for Adulate after he sliced a tenth of a second off his personal best in winning a best eight race over 520 metres, getting home in 29.87 seconds. 

“His race pattern has certainly changed,” Zammit said.

Adulate cut down Magistrate (Greg Stella) close to the line with Springtime Jet (Sean Galloway) third in the four-dog race.

“Previously he had wanted to use more of the track and that can be costly in 500 metre races. Now he is coming closer in to the rail and running a better line," the top trainer said. 

“He is also a very strong finisher.

“On that run I would have to consider the Million Dollar Chase and also giving him a look at Wentworth Park.

“Some dogs just don’t like that track so I would need to give him a run there.”

Adulate had frustrated his connections and supporters early in his career with what appeared to be an inability to utilize his obvious ability over the 520 metres. 

However, Hall of Fame trainer Zammit, surprisingly moved him up to 600 metres with immediate positive results.

A highlight was a second to John Finn’s multiple Group distance performer Zipping Orlando in the Group 3 Winter Carnival Chase over 600 metres at Albion Park.

Then even more surprising, and exciting for the dog’s supporters, has been Adulate’s excellent form back over the 520 metres. 

In his past three starts at 'The Creek' over that distance he ran second to the highly regarded Magistrate, close third to track record holder Jay Is Jay in a barnstorming finish and then first on Thursday night.

Zammit said he would have an immediate look at the Million Dollar Chase heats and consider that possibility.