Cranbourne North trainer John Delaroche’s greyhound Serbo Delight finished second in last week’s Great Chase grand final at The Meadows. 25111 Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
The John Delaroche-trained dog, owned by Devon Meadows resident Alex Kopanja, was checked at the first corner before steaming home to snare second spot in the Group 2 race.
Pharaoh King won the event by six lengths from Serbo Delight (36 starts, 5-6-4) and third-placed Our Wilbur.
The three-week Great Chase series, in its sixth year, involved all provincial and country greyhound racing clubs in the state, including Cranbourne.
Around 300 greyhounds and 140 community groups catering for adults with disabilities were involved in the series.
Officials at each venue randomly assigned greyhounds to each of the community groups.
Members at Kalimna Cranbourne Support Options rode Serbo Delight’s fortunes throughout the series.
The organisation won $3500 from Serbo Delight’s performances throughout the series.
Delaroche, a self-professed hobby trainer, was thrilled with his dog’s performance.
“I was happy for the organisation we were linked up to and it would have been nice if he had won the race,” he said.
“He had a bit of trouble at the first corner that nearly brought him to a standstill and he lost all his momentum.
“The leader (Pharaoh King) got too far in front – probably 10 or 12 lengths – but he got it down to six lengths.”
Delaroche boxed three greyhounds at the start of the series – Serbo Delight, Serbo Quest and Questy – but only the former made it past the heats.
“Serbo Delight was the strongest of my three chances, so I had the right dog in it, but it was not meant to be,” he said.
“I gave the greyhound a very good chance. He’s had 11 starts at the track for a good win in a good time and a few minor placings.”
Delaroche also works with local trainers Darren McDonald, who won his third Melbourne Cup last week with Surgeon, and Wayne Vassallo.
All of Delaroche’s family was in attendance, including his wife of 11 years, Maria, and his children, Michael, 11, Paul, nine, and Jasmine, five.
Keysborough-based dog Outa There was also initially in the eight-strong Great Chase field.
But the dog tested positive for the drug Dexamethasone after winning his semi-final at Cranbourne the week before the grand final and was disqualified.
Quick Drink, which finished second in that semi-final, took Outa There’s position in the race and finished seventh.
