By Jason Adams
Young sprinter Okay Kirsty is Launching Pad-bound following an impressive win in last Thursday night’s qualifier at the Sandown Park greyhounds.
Okay Kirsty ran second to the fastest heat winner – Chief’s Sidekick – which had her as the second reserve for last Thursday’s final. With the scratchings of Hunkapapa and Kroes, she gained a start from Box 6.
Okay Kirsty began well and matched motors with Chief’s Sidekick early before asserting control down the back straight. She gained a sizeable break before Zipping Buck launched a challenge late, but it wasn’t enough as Okay Kirsty held on to win by a nose in 29.96.
“I was stoked when she got a run as a reserve. We hoped she’d improve naturally which she did tonight. The time was probably a little disappointing but she was first past the post and that’s all that matters,” said trainer Ray Floyd.
On top of prize money, Okay Kirsty and connections receive a ticket to the lucrative $410,000 Launching Pad series. The series is open to greyhounds with 1-6 wins and no more than 30 starts.
“I started thinking about the series about four weeks ago. If the owners weren’t going to buy a ticket I would have,” Floyd said.
“I think a series like this is what she needs to mature, she’s still a baby in the mind. Over the next three or four months I think she can really turn into something special.”
Floyd is relatively new to the sport, having only trained greyhounds part-time for five years after making the move from harness racing. He says he wouldn’t be able to do what he does without strong support from his family.
“I’ve got great support around me with my wife Jen and son Lachlan, they do a great job in helping,” he said.
Floyd is also heavily involved in local sports in the Sale region.
“I coach footy, cricket and umpire also. I like preparing competitors and greyhound racing is right up that alley,” he said.
Meanwhile a rise in distance looks imminent for Bonnie Beauty after her dominant win over 595m, also on Thursday night.
The win added to her unique record of 12 wins from 23 starts with no minor placings. Her trainer Joe Borg was happy with the win post-race and revealed his plans to soon step ‘Daisy’ up to the 700m.
“Her form has been off lately – I wasn’t totally happy with her run in her Australian Cup heat. She’s bounced back well, she’s a front runner and that’s what we saw tonight,” said Borg.
“I’ll give her one more 600 at The Meadows then I’ll step her up to 700.”
