GREYHOUNDS
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday July 17, 2009
Kerry Colleen ready to go distanceShe has only faced the starter 10 times, but owner-trainer Mark Bell has always considered Kerry Colleen to be special.The 22-month-old has won five times, two over sprint distances and her past three at Richmond over 618 metres and 717m.The staying ranks are bursting with quality at the moment, but Kerry Colleen's performance to score by a massive 8 lengths in 42.24 seconds at Richmond on July 10 stamped her as a high class stayer in the making."She always gave the impression her forte would be staying," Bell said."You never know if they will run a strong 700 until it's been achieved, but she really did a great job last week."The mark of a genuine front-running stayer is the capacity to drive through the 600m mark at speed (which is usually on a bend) and not lose stride.Kerry Colleen passed every test last week and will continue her path to greater glory in race two the National Locksmiths Stake at Richmond on Friday.Strength at the finish is her ally, but litter brother Hooky Booky is not cast in the same mould.Hooky Booky makes his official Wentworth Park debut on Saturday in heat two of the group 2 Young Star Classic.The fawn dog has won in smart fashion at Bulli (472m) and Maitland (450m) and arrives at the city venue for the first time with four wins from six starts."He had his first go from the boxes at Wenty on Saturday night and ran 30.43," Bell said."I was happy enough with his overall time . . . but delighted with his sectionals."Hooky Booky posted 5.43 to the post the first time and 13.82 to the 720m boxes."He really ran the bend magnificently and will derive plenty of benefit from the run," Bell said."The race on Saturday is not easy as Dentax Bale [box one] looks set to get the drop on us, so I just hope he can run a good second and make it through to the final."And Bell is no stranger to making, and winning, big race finals.Nominations for the $25,000 to-the-winner series were scarce, but a collection of smart juveniles will do battle.The opening heat (race two) sees the return of Domino Vitali after a short break.The black bitch has won at Dapto in a near record 29.65 but failed dismally at her Wentworth Park debut on June 22 when there were excuses.She was later found to have burst a stomach ulcer and there is no doubt, on best form, she can atone.The rails alley provides Root Canal with an edge in heat three (race five), but the speedy Gazmick Storm (box seven) is racing in career-best form and posted a smart 30.29 win at his most recent Wenty assignment on July 4.Heat four is a wide-open affair, and Mark Bell's Murray Cod as well as Zambola Bale and Madam Zen are genuine winning chances.Murray Cod, like his brother Hooky Booky, has posted imposing times at Maitland and Bulli but is also a winner at Wentworth Park in 30.29.Zambola Bale is a get back and run-on type, and Madam Zen, which has drawn box five, has the pace to lead.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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