Victorian staying star Hank The Hustler pulled off a daring ‘heist’ at Wentworth Park in Sydney on Saturday night.
Hank The Hustler ‘swindled’ two of the finest stayers in New South Wales – Zipping Kansas and Super Estrella – to claim the $50,000 first prize in the Group 3 Wentworth Park Gold Cup Final (720m).
Trained at Anakie by Jeff Britton, Hank The Hustler ($13), which was last in the early stages, came home at the rate of knots to defeat Super Estrella ($2.50) by one length in 42.27sec. Zipping Kansas ($2.10F) finished at the tail of the field.
Hank The Hustler (Sep ’18 Fernando Bale x Oakvale Destiny) notched his 23rd win (with eight seconds and 15 thirds) from 76 starts. His stakes spiralled to $251,535.
The Gold Cup is headed south, as Hank The Hustler for Jeffrey Britton wins the staying feature in 42.27!
Full Results: https://t.co/tsDrxyv4QB#thedogs #greyhoundracing @WatchDogRacing pic.twitter.com/scPDfZJ13q
— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 7, 2022
A triple Group 1 finalist – Topgun Stayers, Zoom Top and Association Cup – Hank The Hustler registered his second Group 3 win, having saluted in The Fireball.
His dam, Oakvale Destiny, was a star sprinter which won the 2014 Group 1 Sapphire Crown defeating litter sister Oakvale Flyer. She finished runner-up in the Group 1 Topgun and third in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup – both also in 2014.
And she produced triple Group 1 finalist, Oakvale Beauty.
Meanwhile, Hank The Hustler lines up next in a heat of the Group 1 Sandown Cup on Thursday night.
Craig Solkhon has been up in Sydney 6 of the last 7 weeks, but a win in the Gold Cup at Wentworth Park Greyhounds has made all the hard work worth it! Mick Cowley caught up with the Team Britton kennel rep after the win – and The 715 beckons!#thedogs #MDC #The715 pic.twitter.com/WAKR3eEpPU
— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 7, 2022
Other Victorian results on TAB Million Dollar Chase (MDC) night were:
Million Dollar Chase – Photo Man (Trainer: Gavin Clifton) – 5th
G3 Ladies Bracelet – McKeon Bale (Daniel Gibbons) – 3rd
G3 Bob Payne Sprint – Quinlan Bale (Daniel Gibbons) – 5th
MDC Consolation – Plaintiff (Jason Thompson) – 6th
MDC Maiden – Lovaz Bale (Samantha Grenfell) – 3rd; Natteo Bale (Correy Grenfell) – 5th; Kai Bale (Correy Grenfell) – 8th
