Last Sunday at Longwood was almost the perfect weekend for Sean and Mel Lithgow, and when I say almost, a head was the difference between a Longwood Victoria Derby and Oaks double.
And what made things even more special was the fact that the two greyhounds who came so close to giving them the winning double are pups out of coursing royalty Gotham Queen.
Dream Wizard, a son of Walk Hard and Gotham Queen reigned supreme in the Victoria Derby at Longwood over Sarcasmic, in what is his first coursing season.
Dream Wizard is no slouch on the circle tracks either with five wins from 11 starts, and he lines up in the second heat of the Group 2 Bendigo Cup on Sunday.
Litter sister Gotham Duchess was defeated by Esmay in the Victoria Oaks for veteran trainer Lindsay Morshead.
“It was an absolute thrill to have Gotham Queen’s pups in the Derby and Oaks,” Lithgow said.
“We have loved watching Gotham Queen’s pups take on her characteristics, especially when it comes to coursing.”
“These greyhounds have three courses in one day, it takes a lot of toughness to come out on top.”
The litter’s success didn’t stop there, as Gotham Duke claimed Derby Consolation 2.
Gotham Queen is a queen of coursing, a three-time coursing Bitch of the Year as well as the Victorian Oaks winner in 2017.
It wouldn’t be a coursing event without Brian Fothergill’s name popping up, and last Sunday was no exception when Barracuda Fozz claimed the Werribee Cup.
Victoria’s best coursing greyhound, Barracuda Fozz found himself up against Australian Cup contender Scatterbox in the opening course and, as we are learning, circle form does not equate to coursing form, as Barracuda Fozz had a convincing win over Scatterbox.
The most heartfelt win in Sunday’s meeting at Longwood was Alan Meyer and Where’s Success’ victory in the JN Smith Memorial, an event named in memory of Meyer’s friend.
“Where’s Success is a greyhound to take note of when coursing. He has already won two coursing events this year and was runner-up in the Bert Clark Memorial.”
The next coursing meeting will be held at Longwood on 5 July.
