It also allowed the state of New South Wales to stand on top of the mantle of having the best Sprinter and Stayer at National level. And all of it achieved in the backyard of New South Wales greyhound racing, Wentworth Park.
For David Smith, trainer of his talented bitch stayer Super Estrella it was a dream come true, as the daughter of Esparza finally obtained Group One supremacy. Something that has eluded not only the super bitch, but sadly had eluded David Smith throughout his training career. Albeit having been extremely unlucky not to obtain this feat earlier.
For Frank Hurst the bridesmaid tag that Good Odds Cash had carried somewhat in big feature events, was quickly washed away when her gutsy and tenancious performance to sit outside hulking Simply Limelight to obtain the National Sprint Championship.
The bitch herself obviously unlucky not to win a Group One prior with her gallant second in the Million Dollar Chase to champion super bitch She's A Pearl.
The National Sprint championship provided an exciting race as unwanted outsiders Mcinerney and Fly For trix showed good box speed to be prominent early. However down the back straight and turning for home it became a two dog war as Simply Limelight chasing five wins on end and Good Odds Cash locked horns.
As Frank Hurst put it simply post race the bitch clearly does not understand when she is beaten, and her tenacity seen her claim that elusive Group One that had eluded her. That win now clearly cementing her value as a brood bitch post racing career.
The National Distance race saw Super Estrella show all her blistering early toe like she did the week prior and gave her rivals wind burn. It was a stayer's master class, runner up Tsar Bell from Western Australia ran out of her skin for second, and clearly showed she can match it with the best in Australia.
Congratulations must go to the N.S.W G.B.O.T.A who had little time to prepare with such heavy changes to management just weeks prior to the series. For those that doubted the importance of the Nationals after it's hiatus during Covid, it clearly showed it still holds relevence and should remain a major attraction on the racing calender.
