Master McGrath at his best

Press, 22 August 1977, Page 19

Master McGrath at his best

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

! Master McGrath, a top puppy last year, had his best win for many months when he won the South IsI land greyhound championship narrowly but well at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday afternoon. The white and brindle Old Hobbs — Taradale dog was one of few starters to secure a clear run at the first bend and he was travelling strongly along the rail in third place down the back straight. The pacemaker, Mark Lobell, which started quickly from the outside box and was out by two lengths entering the home turn, ran a little wide on the bend and Master McGrath had ample room to issue his challenge. However, it was not until the last 15m that Master

McGrath reached the lead and he pressed on strongly to win by half a length from the gallant Mark Lobell, the youngster of the field at 20 months.

Swift Princess, as honest as they come, stayed to the rail and i she finished third and only a length from the second placegetter. Soltop, which met interference on the first turn, wa% in a gap in fourth place but it was a ■ good effort by the Auckland dog, I which won this year’s New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes. His partowner and trainer. Brian Brown viewed the bumping on the first : corner philosophically — “that's racing,” he said. The fancied bitch, Torianna Charm, was also a victim of the early skirmish and she made up a large slice of ground for fifth. It was the second time in a row that the Sandy Shane bitch had had her chances wrecked at the Infamous first turn. Dartanyon, Top Revs and Cee Tee brought up the rear group and never flattered at any stage although Cee Tee was in trouble on the turn. COMPENSATION Master McGrath’s win compensated for some of the disappointment felt by Ills trainer, Eddie O’Shea, when his dog failed to make the final of the New Zealand Fairchild sprint series. He was suffering from a back Injury and O’Shea, who was hoping for big things from his, charge in the classic event, said that he probably would not have run even if he had qualified in ills semi-final. “I was thinking of giving him a spell but decided to keep him going for this race,” said a jubilant O’Shea who races the dog in partnership with Johnny Wood. Mark Lobell, the Eastern Vineyards winner last April, showed that he was back to his very best form. The Ballykilty—Moss Rose dog is destined to race in Australia at a later date, but his owner, Murray Batchelor, does not think that he will be going until after the New Zealand championship in November. The highly-promising Smokey Hobbs ran an exceptional race

to win the other feature event on the equaiisator programme — the Lord Shannon Cyp for progressive dogs. It was the Old Hobbs—Little Vixen youngster's fourth successive win and certainly his most meritorious.

Smokey Hobbs, from box No. 8, was bumped in the liindquarters by Paddy’s Ghost as he strove for the lead on the first bend. Ailsa Craig had a useful lead along the back straight, but Smokey Hobbs, which recovered his balance quickly, sprinted along the rails and dashed to the front soon after. He won easily by five lengths in t-lie good time of 35.615ec tor the 590 m.

Ailsa Craig was a good second and Kilty Begs, third throughout, never relinquished his placing although Fast Herb and Filey

Flyer were in close attendance at the finish. The Jetsam Stakes for novice dogs was won appropriately by Jetsetter, which led throughout. The white bitch is from Jetsam, the 1973 South Island champion. Riverside Sal won a roughly run Lord Shannon consolation. She got to the lead early and that proved the best place to be as two runners received bad checks. The swift trap bitch, Ariki Sue, had a dashing win in the puppy sprint over 350 m and Magic Hobbs shaped encouragingly in finishing second. Results were:— Satin King Stakes, limit 350 m: | Friendly Casper iP. Winiata and V. Dean; trainer, B. S. Street), 1; I

Streaky Hobbs (J. F. Rapley; trainer, M. G. Wilkin), 2; Norab Der iE. O’Shea), 3. Time: 20 07. Dominique Stakes, puppy 350 m: Ariki Sue (Mrs H. Little), 1; Magic Hobbs (B. Sammons; trainer, T. Downey), 2; Ariki Babe's (H. Little), 3. Time: 20.03. Eireann-Go-Breagh, maiden 590 m:. Charcoal Queen <B R. Durry* and M. J. Durry; trainer, B. Durry), 1; Amazing Penny (H. Silva and Mrs Silva; trainer, R. C. Kingston), 2; Rapid Chani (S. J. Gallagher and S. Marks; trainer, M. G. Wilkin). No. time. Sloop Stakes, maiden 590 m: Latest Craze (W. Kingston), 1; Ordermate (R. J. Thom), 2: Anna (Mesdames M. Neville and P. Kirkpatrick; trainer. W. J. Morris), 3. Time; 36.15. I Lord Shannon Cup, progressive

; 590 m: Smokey Hobbs (G. Bates,.. > D. and K. Reid; trainer. Bates . 1; Ailsa Craig Mrs B. Walsh and : J. McLister; McLister), 2; Kilty ; Begs (M. P. Duffyi, 3 Time. ; 35.61. j Jetsam Stakes, novice 590 m . Jetsetter (R. G. Currie. G. R : i) Griffiths. G. W. Lucas; trainer. 1 . B. A. Cantwell), 1; Planet Lad : , (I. R. Atkinson and R Wood; . trainer, P. J. Gardiner), 2: Roiil . Tan (R. J. Thom), 3. Time: 35.97. Bond Street South Island ; Championships, 590 m. Master M i . Grath (E. O’Shea and J. Wood; h : trainer. O'Shea), 1. Mark Lobell < ; (M. Batchelor 1 . 2; Swift Princess:; i (Mrs J. M. Gibson), 3. Time; . 35.49 h Lord Shannon Consolation, pro-i < igressive 59'-ir. Roerside Sal (FiveH )| Two Sev< ii S> ndicate; trainer, M I ’

iJ. Davidson), 1; Kildora Miss <W A. Gill), 2; .Xanthippe (D Bu. zardi, 3. Time: 35.9 u. Red Baron Stakes, maidri 590 m: Superb Shandy *M. J. ami S. C. Durry ; trainer. M. Durr> 1; Mon tan la Red (P G. Berry r 2; Penfold Bill «W. Penfold tralne, Mrs V. Bean),, 3. Time 36.56 Tip Top Stakes, maiden 590 m ißallanmoss (J. Met.rath and P McDonald; traiiner, W. J. Morris* 1; Moynilian (R. S. Harrison and A. N. Cave: trainer, Harrison* 2; Delta Ridge <H A Hill and C. Them; trainer, M G. iMlkm*. 3. Rex Havoc Stakes, maiden |s9om: Bright Planet i.l K I Graham*.' I. Tanteenie (J. H It ieaty*. 2; Hold On Speeds *M ICi'OSs; trainer. \\. J. Norn*- . .*