A thriller

By Ben Hope
ULTRA RUMBLE trainer Darren McDonald is happy with his dog’s second-place run in the tightly run Cranbourne Cup on Monday night.
Ultra Rumble ran second in the annual $30,000 race, close behind Arvo’s Florence, trained by Kooweerup newcomer Terry Burns.
The 520-metre race was closely contested with less than three lengths separating the field from the box to the first corner.
McDonald said his dog was caught a bit wide at the first turn but he was happy with the second place.
“Ultra Rumble was punched off the track a little bit on the first corner, but saying that, I don’t think he could have beaten the leader. Once Arvo’s Florence found the front it looked certain he was going to win,”
“We were beaten by the better dog on the night.”
After Ultra Rumble won the New Year’s Cup at the Meadows, McDonald said the dog was probably best on the 600-metre track.
“We are now hoping to get a place in the 600-metre Rookie Rebel at the Meadows in February,” McDonald said.
Bookies’ favourite and fellow Cranbourne runner Fedex also suffered a squeeze around the first corner and ended in fourth place.
Cranbourne Greyhound Racing Club manager Tony Wright said Fedex was a little slow out of the box but stayed with the group until the first turn.
“It was tight racing, at the first turn it was hard for the dogs to hold their feet,” Wright said.
“Fedex suffered a bit of a squeeze at the first turn that allowed Arvo’s Florence to get ahead of the pack and hold the lead on the straight.”
Wright said the Australia Day-themed event was a success, with an expected crowd of about 1000 turning out to enjoy a night of free entertainment and racing.
“There was a great atmosphere with children enjoying the rides and games as well as singing along to their favourite Australian songs,” Wright said.
“The Punter’s Club also had a great night with a $70 return.”
Both McDonald and Fedex trainer Jason Thompson will also race in the $36,000 Group Two Maidment Memorial final at Sandown Park tonight (28 January)
Thompson’s Next Top Model took the lead in her heat last week, winning with a comfortable 4.5 lengths and a personal best time of 42.16 on the 715-metre track.
McDonald’s Guacamole will start from the fifth box and will pay $17 for a win.