IN THE MONEY: Trainer Gary Smith with Lost Profits, winner of the first race at Bathurst on Monday night. Photo: CHRIS SEABROOK 012813cdogs2
OCEAN Foam has produced a near unbelievable performance to take out the 2013 Orange Cup at Kennerson Park (520m) on Monday night.
The talented bitch was second favourite for the race behind Sucker Punch but scorched her way from the box to the first sector in just 4.21 seconds, an extremely quick start. From there she was able to maintain a solid gap, holding off Sucker Punch and Ritza Ronnie for the win in a time of 30.59 seconds.
Bathurst Greyhound racing secretary Craig Townsend said Ocean Foam was a deserving winner.
“She was just too quick for them. It was a gallant run from Sucker Punch for second but it just wasn’t good enough.
“They don’t normally go much quicker than 4.25 seconds for that first section. I think the thing that made it so incredible was the fact that she did it in wet conditions.
“Across the meeting, the times were slower but she was still so quick from the start. It really was a fantastic win and great for trainer Sam Simonetta. He is a Sydney trainer who comes to Bathurst almost every week and he was so happy he was almost in tears.”
The G & B Stewart Memorial Final saw Rumbling Thunder ($5.80) take a 2 1/2 length win from favourite Hoobilation ($3) with Boxy Elleannon ($6.10) third.
The Marie Jaeger Memorial was taken out by Mavriki Crio ($3.30) by a neck from Hidden Express ($1.80). Heat winner Bolt George Bolt was expected to be a contender but had to be scratched after breaking a toe during the week.
One of the biggest focuses of the day was the running of the inaugural Trent Morgan Memorial and the introduction of the Morgan Trust raffle.
Trent Morgan was a popular Orange greyhound trainer killed in a car accident outside of Bathurst. His brother Steve was also seriously injured in the crash but he was able to attend Monday’s meeting along with Trent’s wife Sam and her children.
“It was great to see so many people from Orange who made the trip over for the afternoon. It was a shame the weather wasn’t perfect but everyone still had a good time and it was good to see Sam out there and Steve as well,” Townsend said.
“We’ve launched the raffle and already we have raised $800. That will continue for a month and Sam will come back for the Bathurst Cup meeting and draw some tickets out for us and hopefully we will be able to present a big cheque for the Morgan Trust.”