Emma Pritchard

More than 90 greyhounds competed across a 12-race program at the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club’s twilight meeting on April 30, with 22 lining up for the feature events of the night, the Village Green Hotel Grafton Cup Heats.

Listed as Races 6-8 in the form guide, the three heats attracted quality fields including Zipping Maserati, Cash Master, Reel ‘em Bluey, Starline Express, and Commands Respect, with several Northern Rivers trainers including Evelyn Harris, Robert Cooke, and Desmond Winters hoping to secure a box for their four-legged stars in the Grafton Cup Final on May 7.

Jumping swiftly from box 3, blue dog Impress Dressel showed plenty of speed during the first of the 450m heats, running home to win in a smart time of 25.19 seconds for Warragai Creek trainer Dave Irwin, from Jay Is Jay and Sal’s Blue Boy.

20/1 shot Whiskey Cobbler charged to the line in Heat 2, defeating the well fancied Reel ‘em Bluey by just under a length on the line with Rushforth Ally in third in a time of 25.32 seconds.

Race favourite Cash Master looked to have his chance at the top of the home straight and finished fourth.

Commands Respect showed his class when winning the third and final heat of the night, racing clear to record a dominant win over Starline Express and All Lies Ahead for prominent trainer Glenda Dart.

The box draw for the Grafton Cup Final was held following the running of Race 9.

Rushforth Ally and Whiskey Cobbler drew boxes 1 and 2 respectively, while the first qualifier from the heats Impress Dressel drew box 6.

Commands Respect will jump from box 3, Reel ‘em Bluey from box 4, and Sal’s Blue Boy from box 5.

Jay Is Jay and Starline Express drew the widest boxes 7 and 8, while All Lies Ahead and Cash Master were revealed as the first and second reserves.

The Grafton Cup Final will be held during the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club’s next meeting on Sunday, May 7.