3 minute read
AT THE POST
Group 3 Warragul St Leger (460m)
WARRAGUL, 7 AUGUST
1st ASTON FASTNET
Breeding: Male Apr ’19 KC And All x Aston Miley Breeder/Owner: Raymond Borda, Mawson Lakes SA Trainer: Jason Thompson, Pearcedale VIC First prize: $25,000 Odds: $3.90 Time: 25.68sec Margin: 1.97L 2nd: Koblenz
3rd: Shima Classic How the race was won: Aston Fastnet ($3.90) was midfield early from Box 8 before coming home with a ‘wet sail’ to defeat Koblenz ($2.80F) by 1.97L, with Shima Classic ($4.10) a further 0.74L away third in a slick 25.68sec. It was his 11th win from 23 starts, including three from four over this track/ distance. Aston Fastnet was also a finalist in the G1 Maturity Classic and G3 Bill Collins Speed Star, and runner-up to Koblenz in the Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter final.
Group 3 Speed Star (525m)
THE MEADOWS, 25 AUGUST 1st ASTON RUPEE
Breeding: Male April ’19 KC And All x Aston Miley Breeder/Owner: Ray Borda, Mawson Lakes SA Trainer: Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows VIC First prize: $20,000 Odds: $1.60F Time: 29.590sec (Best) Margin: 2.97L 2nd: Tiggerlong Tonk
3rd:
Weblec Blazer
How the race was won: Superstar sprinter Aston Rupee underlined his claim to the mantle of Australia’s fastest greyhound when winning back-to-back G3 Speed Star match race series at The Meadows. Trained by Glenn Rounds, Aston Rupee won the G3 Bill Collins Speed Star (515m) at Sandown Park on June 2. In his head-to-head, Aston Rupee defeated Weblec Blazer by 3L. The next best individual time –2.97L slower – was semaphored by ‘ultimate professional’ Tiggerlong Tonk in 29.798sec, followed by Weblec Blazer in 29.803. Aston Rupee, also runner-up in the G3 Launching Pad, notched his 12th win from 24 starts.
All Inn Billy with trainer Tony Duncan, Shae Van Tarling and the Waterloo Cup trophy.
Billy conquers all comers in Waterloo Cup
BY ANDREW COPLEY
A powerful come-from-behind performance saw All Inn Billy enter the history books by winning the 148th Waterloo Cup at Longwood.
His experienced trainer Tony Duncan labelled the victory as the biggest thrill of his career as his greyhound overpowered Kasemi (Kristie Collyer) to make it six unbeaten courses across the series.
“Who would have thought I’d be in this position a month ago,” an emotional Duncan said at day’s end.
“I’ve won a Presidents Cup at Horsham, Trainer of the Year at Shepparton and Greyhound of the Year at Shepparton, but this is extra special.” Duncan said the powerful finish has become a key trait of his All Inn Billy’s armour.
“I took All Inn Billy coursing for the first time a few weeks ago and he managed to beat (reigning Waterloo Cup winner) Making Gravy, so I thought why not put him in the Waterloo Cup,” he said.
“Once he reaches the driver’s tower at Longwood, which is about three quarters of the way to the finish line, he finds another gear.” Duncan, a semi-regular on the coursing circuit for more than a decade, gave All Inn Billy an easy week after day one of the 2021 Waterloo Cup last Sunday.
“He pulled up so well after the first day. The next day he was tearing around the paddocks at home and was ready to go again, but I gave him the week off and it paid dividends,” he said.
Based in Harston, Duncan breeds and trains the ‘All Inn’ greyhounds, with this particular litter – by Barcia Bale out of All Inn Amy – proving themselves to be very handy on the circle, including All Inn Billy, who has won 12 from 36 on TAB tracks.
“I said to dad very early on that I’d win $100,000 with this litter, and I was right as they’ve won 50 races between them and over a hundred grand,” Duncan said.
All Inn Billy claimed a first prize of $12,970 plus VicGreys Bonus, rug and replica trophy, while he’ll also have his name inscribed on the original Waterloo Cup silverware. Consolation events, the Waterloo Plate and Waterloo Purse were won by Orson Emmy and Hugo respectively.
