Emma Pritchard

More than 80 greyhounds competed across an 11-race program at the Grafton Greyhound Racing Clubs twilight meeting on May 1, with 31 lining up for the feature events of the night, the Des Winters Grafton Cup Heats.  

Listed as races 5-8 in the form guide, the heats attracted quality fields including Black Comanche, Shaun Crouch, Mr Barrow, Trapped, Cut The Line, Perfect Nangar and Orara Dan.   

After running second to Integrity Mate in the TAB Million Dollar Chase Regional Heat 1 in early April prior to placing fourth behind the speedy Little Zephyr in the TAB Million Dollar Chase Regional Final three weeks ago, Mr Barrow brought strong form into the first heat of the night.

Jumping from box 8 in the 450m event, Mr Barrow quickly rounded the field and travelled in third position before unleashing a brilliant turn of foot to overhaul the early leader Ritza Franky Boy to win by a length in a smart time of 25.36 seconds.

A homebred for his proud trainer Darryl Hancock, who praised his beloved greyhound following the event, Mr Barrow’s recent victory brings his career tally to nine wins and three minor placings from 28 starts.

“He’s such a good dog, such a trier,” Mr Hancock said.

“He likes the outside boxes and that is exactly what he can do when he has clear air and space to run.”

Mr Barrow and runner up Ritza Franky Boy became the first two greyhounds to qualify for the Grafton Cup Final to be run this weekend.

Trapped and Olsen Street booked their places in the final after filling the quinella in heat 2, while Respectability and On The Bit joined them following their strong performances in heat 3.

Attention soon turned to the track for the final heat of the night, Race 8, which featured the track record holder over 350m Orara Dan.

Beginning from box 8, Orara Dan began fast and sat behind the early leaders Fast Liar and Four More Guy before streaking past the field inside the final 30m to win by a lengthening margin.

Perfect Nangar stormed home on the rails to snatch second place, and the final spot in the Grafton Cup Final, from Four More Guy.

The box draw for the Grafton Cup Final was held following the running of the last heat of the night.

First qualifier Mr Barrow drew box 7 while Orara Dan will have to contend with an inside run after drawing box 2.

The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host their next race meeting on May 8.

Feature events on the program include the Grafton Cup Final and the Ladbrokes Lady Greys Mother’s Day Pendent.