Some of the region’s most promising greyhounds will converge on Cowra this Saturday for this year’s running of the Janet Braddon Memorial Final (453m).
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The $2000-to-the-winner race pits together the winners and second placegetters from last weekend’s heats, the series is open to greyhounds with zero to one career wins.
Cowra trainer Rodney McDonald has two chances in the feature race after Hippo Clan came within a whisker of breaking 2016 winner Falcon’s Fury’s track record and Dana Waz finished second in separate heats.
Hippo Clan will launch from box two with Dana Waz drawn the pink rug to leave box eight.
Prior to the heats Hippo Clan had one win from 18 starts.
“He’s had a lot of seconds and thirds. He’s always had the ability but he’s a bit young and immature,” trainer Rodney McDonald said.
“He had box eight which was where he wanted to be [last Saturday].”
Drawn box two, McDonald said Hippo Clan won’t mind the inside run but he is concerned about the youngster’s manners before the jump.
“He doesn’t always jump. He gets too excited and worked up, he just always wants to go,” McDonald said.
Dana Waz finished second to Formula Man in the qualifiers and remains in chase of his maiden victory.
The two-year-old has notched eight minor placings from his 24 appearances.
An incident at his first start at Temora impacted his progress as a promising greyhound, McDonald said.
“He was looking really good but at his maiden race at Temora the boxes didn’t open for him and he hasn’t been the same since,” McDonald said.
“One day he’ll get it right and win easy.”
McDonald said he will likely take Hippo Clan and Dana Waz to Dubbo for the Lesley Anne Leonard Memorial Series heats next Friday with the final worth $5000 to the winner.
Spring Terrace speedster Cogburn looms as the main threat in the race after finishing second behind Hippo Clan in the heats to set the second quickest qualifying time.
Trained by Shannon Kirby, Cogburn has one win, two seconds and one third from his four career starts.
Wimbledon trainer Lynn Maney has two chances as well with Planet Of Dreams and Formula Man in the running.
The winner will pocket $2000 for connections.
Racing starts this Saturday afternoon from 1pm.
The Janet Braddon Memorial Final is set to jump at 2.45pm.
