DUBBO-trained Caitlyn Keeping will push on to heats of the Million Dollar Chase on Monday after winning the group 2 Black Top (515 metres) at The Gardens on Friday night.
Trainer Charmaine Roberts told thedogs.com.au that Caitlyn Keeping would start her run at the world richest greyhound race, set down for Wentworth Park on October 20, in heats at Bathurst on Monday afternoon. First and second from the regional qualifying heats advance to the regional final at Bathurst on September 10. First and second then head to Wentworth Park for semi-finals.
Caitlyn Keeping was second in the Black Top heats but gained a start for the $40,000-to-the-winner final when Black Forge was scratched.
From box eight, Caitlyn Keeping jumped to the lead and held out the Jason Mackay-trained Zipping Tayla, which beat her in the heats, by half a length in a time of 29.35 seconds.
“Sometimes someone else’s misfortune is someone else’s good fortune, and that’s how it was for us,” Roberts said. “The week before she had never been to the track, and we were run down by a better dog on of the night. I thought she would be better for the run, but up the back, I thought here is deja vu.”
Cliff Keeping also won on the night to give Roberts a double. Blacksmiths trainer Ron Bell won the Bishop Collins Maiden with First Order. Zipping Kelly, for trainer Jodie Lagogiane, claimed the Sonia Hornery Stayers Cup. Elusive Wave took out The Macca Black Top consolation in a double for trainer Victor Sultana, who also won with Cheeky Tunes.
Mackay struck a late double with Zipping Alvin and Zipping Merlow
