Angela Langton’s exciting youngster Rig Fifty Five made it three wins in a row by taking out the Judy Hayley Memorial at Sandown Park on Thursday night.
Drawing his fourth red box in as many races proved pivotal for the son of former champ Oaks Road, beginning as well as he’s begun in his career and powering to the lead through the first turn.
Race favourite and fastest qualifier Aston Gisle followed Rig Fifty Five through to camp behind him as they entered the back straight, but she had no answer for the front runner as Rig Fifty Five stormed away to win by seven lengths in a slick 29.41.
“He’s from a terrific litter and has a great attitude towards racing,” Langton said after the race.
“I think having four red boxes in a row has really seen him grow in confidence, he’s really starting to put it together now.
“The two (Aston Gisle) missed it a little bit tonight so it gave him a bit of room early and allowed him to begin a little bit quicker than normal. But he is starting to begin a little better having that run with box 1s so it’s been great for him.”
Rig Fifty Five has now won five of his 16 career starts, and having just turned two years of age, Langton is confident of further improvement.
In fact, a tilt at the $210,000 group 2 Launching Pad now beckons.
“We’ll look at getting a ticket for the Launching Pad now for him. He’s the same litter as (dual group 1 finalist) Hit The Highway, the whole litter has plenty of ability. He’s still learning and he’s really starting to hit his straps so we’ll look to the Launching Pad for him now.”
The Judy Hayley Memorial is the feature event on the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club’s Shades of Greyhound Girls Night Out and is restricted to lady trainers only. Named in honour of the Melbourne Cup winning trainer who lost her battle with cancer in 2012, it has quickly established its place as one of the sport’s most sought after races.
Celebrating the contribution of women to the sport of greyhound racing, the night also raises money for three excellent causes, the Will Murray Foundation, Monash Health Breast Oncology and Leukaemia Units, and the Matt Height Appeal.
“It’s a very special race to win; everyone that is here tonight would love to win the race. Judy was a terrific lady – it’s an honour to get a runner in the final, to win it is really special.”
