A WEEKEND trip to one of Victoria’s most picturesque greyhound tracks came with an added bonus for Ray Drew.
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The Dennington trainer is this week celebrating Healesville Oaks success after exciting chaser Kirabilli Rosie saluted in the 350-metre final on Sunday.
The 22-month-old bitch dashed home in 19.638 seconds, overcoming a poor start to beat Shankill Mo and $2.10 favourite Amelia Christa.
The result took her record to three wins from five starts.
She has never finished below third, earning connections almost $11,000 in prizemoney.
“We’re always on the lookout to place our greyhounds to the best of their ability,” Drew said.
“We always thought this girl had a fair bit of ability.
“We took her down there and trialled and she went really well. We decided to enter (the series).
“She ran second in the heat, got into the final and drew box two near the rail. She’s a dead-set railer. She got through and won by 0.18 of a length.”
Drew said he would “let the dust settle” before deciding where to next start the Barcia Bale-Kirabilli Indy bitch.
A grade 5 series and final looms large.
“She’s only very young but there are some good dogs who have gone on to win better races after this,” he said.
“At the presentation, they mentioned a number of greyhounds which have gone on and won better races.
“She’s had five starts now for a third, a second and three wins. She’s touching just on $11,000 in prizemoney. She’s been good for us so far.”
Kirabilli Rosie was one of three dogs trained by Ray and Dustin Drew in action at Healesville, a rare straight track nestled among bushland.
Lil Arthur also ensured the trip finished with reward, winning a grade 5 race over 350 metres in dominant fashion. He clocked 19.292 seconds.
“He raced down there in the heats of the (Healesville) Derby the week before, ran sixth but was very unlucky,” Drew said.
“He got caught up at the start from box six. He had box six this week but he was lucky enough to jump to the front and cross over.”
Their other winner for the weekend was Fratelli Fresh in a grade 5 race over 525 metres at The Meadows on Saturday night, clocking 30.252 seconds.
Meanwhile, Jackson Bell made it three winners for south-west trainers at Healesville when Magic Success scored in a grade 5 race over 350 metres.
Magic Success, which reached a semi-final of the Warrnambool Classic last month, won in 19.463 seconds.
