Greyhound sire, Bernardo, had four of his offspring win races during the Shepparton Pink Diamond heats on Thursday, over a range of distances from 385m, right up to 650m; underscoring the dog’s versatility as a sire.
A showcase of rising staying talent was displayed by Minister Mentor (Bernardo x Triscay), who took out the only Pink Diamond Rookie Distance heat (650m) on the program, as a +130 race favourite with online bookmakers.
The Pink Diamond Rookie Distance race series is a restricted race series open to Victorian bred greyhounds only, with no more than four wins.
Greyhounds are only able to compete in one heat of the series, with single heats held at Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong greyhound tracks.
The winners and the second placegetters from each of the four heats will progress to the Pink Diamond Rookie Distance final at Warragul on June 16, with the finalists racing for the $25,000 to-the-winner first prize.
Jumping straight to the lead against a full field of up-and-coming stayers, the Jason Thompson-trained chaser went on to lead all the way in 37.45, winning by 7.5 lengths from +190 second favourite Mixed Dozen, with Learned Lesson (+3220) a further length away in third.
Pink Diamond Rookie Distance Heat (Shepparton, 650m) – Minister Mentor (37.45) T: Jason Thompson
Handler Luke Thompson was impressed with the performance especially given the rise in trip.
“Minister Mentor had never been further than 600m,” he said.
“It was very pleasing to see him run the trip out well, especially after copping a few checks soon after box rise and on the first corner.”
This latest victory makes it two straight wins over the ‘600′ middle distance range, after an eye-catching last start performance.
Last week at The Meadows, he overcame early trouble, and had to cover extra ground in running, to win in a gritty effort in a thrilling finish in 35.00 seconds.
His race career form is now five wins and four placings from eleven starts, collecting $20,775 in prizemoney.
The Jason Thompson-trained kennelmate Got Attitude, gave Thompson, and greyhound sire Bernardo; a race-to-race double winning the only Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter heat on the program.
Similar to the Pink Diamond Rookie Distance heats, Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter heats are open to Vic-bred greyhounds who have won no more than four races.
The first and second greyhounds from the heats at Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong greyhound tracks, qualify for the $25,000 to-the-winner final at Warragul on June 16 over 460m.
Got Attitude (Bernardo x Sunset Senorita), starting as a +470 chance on greyhound betting apps, proved his ability as a rising sprint star taking out the heat, leading all the way in 25.19 from box two.
Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter Heat (Shepparton, 450m) – Got Attitude (25.19) T: Jason Thompson
“He is a progressive sprinter,” handler Luke Thompson said.
“He is beginning to put it all together now.”
Got Attitude has won his last three starts in a row, and improved his race form to five wins from nine starts, with two second places.
In the only heat of the Pink Diamond Champion Short Course on the Shepparton card over the 385m trip, it was another Bernardo-sired dog, General Winston, who won the race in 21.84, by two lengths over Wow How’s That (+1130).
The Pink Diamond Champion Short Course heats are open to the best Victorian-bred greyhounds nominated, with first and second to qualify for the the $75,000 to the winner final on Pink Diamond finals day on June 16 at Warragul over 400m.
General Winston, trained by David Geall, jumped cleanly from the green box, using the clear passage to challenge for the lead and gain the upper hand to take the win.
Pink Diamond Champion Short Course Heat (Shepparton, 385m) – General Winston (21.84) T: David Geall
The son of Bernardo and Princess Marjen was paying +590 with greyhound betting sites, has now won four of his past five starts, and eight of 22 overall.
The fourth Pink Diamond winner for the Shepparton card sired by Bernardo was seen in race three, the Pink Diamond Rookie Short Course over 385m, with Pick Star saluting as an odds-on -111.11 favourite in greyhound betting odds.
Similar to the other Pink Diamond Rookie races, the race series is only open to Vic-bred greyhounds who have not won more than four races, and dogs are racing for a spot in the final on Pink Diamond day that offers $25,000 to-the-winner.
Pick Star, who is by Bernardo out of Star Desire, was able to use box two to drive up early and gain the lead on the first corner, before tearing away for a good win.
Pink Diamond Rookie Short Course Heat (Shepparton, 385m) – Pick Star (21.65) T: John Galea
The John Galea-trained dog is a one on the rise, and has now won four of his past five starts.
Pick Star has 13 starts career starts for seven wins, and a second placing, earning $25,730 for connections.
Ballarat also held Pink Diamond race series heats on Thursday night, and Geelong and Bendigo will hold further Pink Diamond heats on Friday.
The Pink Diamond finals day will be held at Warragul on June 16 2023, with $450,000 in first placed prize money on offer across the 12 race finals.
The series is being called Australia’s richest regional greyhound series, with over the $1.175 million in prizemoney and bonuses available across the five race days.
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