The Delbridge kennel has continued its fine form across the border with star sprinter Paw Oswald taking out the Ladbrokes Broken Hill Cup on Sunday evening.
The reigning National Derby champion broke the track record in the heats of the $25,000 feature but with a tricky Box 8 draw to contend with on final night, another Group-level victory was fair from a done deal.
Speedy customer Honey Zen got the best of the start to lead early from Box 2, but Paw Oswald - the pre-race favourite - also shot out before spearing his way across to sit outside the second elect.
It didn’t take long for the son of Feral Franky to forge his way to the front, before storming away from the chasing pack for an easy 5.25 length win.
The time of 29.98 just 0.01 outside his existing track record, with Honey Zen and Mango Cans filling the minor placings.
“It’s a very good feeling considering he had the pink…we sort of doubted ourselves all week whether he’d get across but he showed the calibre of dog he is and used his speed and nous in a race to get across when it was crucial and he broke the 30 second mark again,” an elated Lisa Delbridge said post-race.
“We started coming up two years ago for the Million Dollar Chase heats but Mark said “we’re going to go to the Cup this year” so we’re going to do two trips this year.”
“But this club is amazing…for being out in the middle of nowhere, Regan [Edgecumbe) does such a good job running it and they get a crowd and the track is always in tip top order and we love coming up here. It’s sort of like a second family because everyone is so friendly.”
“It’s always nice to get out of your home town and to bring home some silverware from interstate.”
The victorious Victorians even shouting the bar after their triumph.
“Yes [that’s true]…I don’t know how much I’m up for so enjoy,” she laughed.
Earlier in the evening, Clayton Trengove claimed the trifecta in the Fabtec Local Cup Final with Gracious Gift leading home kennelmates Patriot Oisin and Dawny By Name.
"This is a sensational effort...I was hoping to get the winner of course, but to get first, second and third, this is out of this world," Trengove said.
"It's a whole team effort, Brad Johnson, Craig Thomas, my son Tyson, he's one of the main stayers, we go morning and night, everyone sees this type of stuff but they don't see a lot of the work that goes on behind the scenes to be able to perform like that."
Trengove also
"That's just phenomenal prizemoney but even the prizemoney in Broken Hill for a TAB meet and everything now, we've got TAB meets through to November, that's a sensational effort...I can't speak highly enough of Greyhound Racing NSW with all the work they've done with the track, and Ladbrokes as well coming in and helping as well."
"If someone told me Broken Hill would get TAB meets and they'd be paying this prizemoney three of four years ago...to Regan and his team and the committee, it's an unbelievable job to get us to where we are to be able to run TAB meets at Broken Hill...this tracks the best it's ever been in the 80 odd years we've been racing."
Clayton Trengove (middle) with Gracious Gift after claiming the trifecta in the Local Cup on Broken Hill Cup night.
Broken Hill Greyhound Racing Club President, Regan Edgecumbe, said it was another proud night for racing in the region.
“We’ve worked very hard these last years to get to where we are today and to have the support from the trainers who have travelled interstate from SA, Victoria and the other side of NSW…fantastic effort tonight,” Edgecumbe said.
“Ever since we’ve evolved from that non-TAB atmosphere and to TAB racing and the prize money has gone up, its encouraged the locals to get more dogs and it’s encouraged the interstaters to come across as well.”
GRNSW CEO, Steve Griffin, was also on hand to celebrate a great evening for country racing.
“It’s always good to see regional clubs do so well and this is another example of that. The hard work that Regan and his team have put in to make these things happen...that’s what makes greyhound racing great,” Griffin said.
“To Lisa and Mark Delbridge, congratulations on a great win, to come all this way and win this race, another great night for greyhound racing and we appreciate the hard work that everyone does locally to put these events on.”
“And to our sponsors Ladbrokes…a great partnership, we love them, they continue to do a great job for us.”
