Johnsons Chasing Breeders Classic Gold

LOCALLY bred pup Buckle Up Axon stamped himself as a star of the future after a scintillating 25.50 performance when taking out a semi-final of the Custom Resources & Recruitment Breeders Classic (452m) at Devonport on Tuesday afternoon.

LOCALLY bred pup Buckle Up Axon stamped himself as a star of the future after a scintillating 25.50 performance when taking out a semi-final of the Custom Resources & Recruitment Breeders Classic (452m) at Devonport on Tuesday afternoon.

 At his third appearance on the north-west coast circuit, the son of Buckle Up Wes and America Bale stepped cleanly from box two before exploding in the run to the first turn.

Once on the bunny, nothing else stood a chance as Buckle Up Axon sprinted to the line 5 ¾ lengths clear of Hello Lenny and Buckle Up Olivia in third.

Prepared by Gary Johnson at Leith, Buckle Up Axon brought up his fifth win from 11 career starts.

"He's a very talented pup and being well educated at Devonport the dog naturally knows every grain of sand on the track," owner Robyn Johnson said.

"I think there is plenty still there yet to be seen with this dog, being young I still worry with both him and the other runners we had in the semis on Tuesday, to see him qualify like that was a great thrill for both Gary and I."

In four semi-finals conducted, winners from the Launceston and Hobart area dominated the series, when Hello Rhonda opened proceedings with a great effort off box three to win the first semi in 25.84, scoring by a length to Buckle Up Izy and Geneva Lee.

The Robin Grubb-trained Fernando Bale x Sing The Song bitch qualified for her second Breeders Classic for the year, being a finalist to litter sister Peco Can at Hobart, which resulted also claiming her fourth win in eight starts.

Master trainer Ted Medhurst staked his claim for a 26th Breeders Classic trophy, when smart commodity Branwell Lee took out the second semi-final from box three.

Stepping reasonably from the inside, the black chaser railed beautifully before being headed off by Thunder Punch in run to the top turn. Setting sights on the leader, Branwell Lee let loose with his strong mid-race speed to run down Thunder Punch convincingly.

Surprise packet Twisted Sister claimed the third semi-final for trainer Joan Nichols, holding out top price favourites Sebastian Lee and Call Me Will to score by two lengths in 25.66.

Gary and Robyn Johnson's chances of claiming their first Breeders Classic were strengthened when Buckle Up Axon came up with box eight for the final, justifying the acceptance of a wide draw knowing the speed is placed directly inside in boxes six and seven.

"It's certainly a great field and there are quite a few chances, but our bloke has done really well in the last two weeks. All we hope with everyone of our dogs is they run well, sound and fit, a winning result is the bonus," told Robyn.

"I think the draw will suit Axon well and if he can get a clear run and be untouched he should run a good race. Our other runner Buckle Up Izy did well to qualify too and she loves to rail so box two will do her justice."

Devonport Breeders Classic Box Draw (452m) 

1 – Branwell Lee
2 – Buckle Up Izy
3 – Thunder Punch
4 – Sebastian Lee
5 – Hello Rhonda
6 – Hello Lenny
7 – Twisted Sister
8 – Buckle Up Axon

Reserves

9 – Call Me Will
10 – Geneva Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

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