US Hall Of Famer Proves Hill's Derby Inspiration

FOOTBALL great Terry Hill could be expected to be a student of rugby league history, but Hill can surprise even his most ardent fans.

Consider his young dog Came And Went (Barcia Bale-Hillary) which is hot favourite for Thursday night's Group 3 South Australian Derby Final (530m) at Angle Park.

“He's a pretty hot young dog,” Hill said. “You know I named him after a champion dog in the US. The spelling is a bit different though.”

That US dog was Caymen Went (Snow Bow-Faithful Message) which was whelped way back in 2001 but became a champion. He was twice a member of the All America team and was captain once. He won both the sprinter of the year and stayer of the year.

And he was inducted into the US greyhound racing Hall of Fame, winning 72 of his 101 career starts.

“I rang Geoff Collins to talk to him about the US dog and that I had a hot pup I was going to name after that dog but with a bit different spelling,” Hill said.

“The one in the final is fantastic for him.”

Came And Went ran 30.36 to win his heat of the Derby, easily the best of the two heats.

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Close friends, Cherylee and Stewart Barber and Gavin Harris will both be rivals and compatriots for Thursday night's Group 3 South Australian Oaks Final (530m).

The Barbers and Harris race Oaks finalists Springvale Maddi and Zinfandel Nikki. Cherylee trains Springvale Maddie and Gavin has Zinfandel Nikki.

“Nikki is well boxed in the final in the eight,” said Stewart Barber. “She generally likes to do a right-hand turn.

“But there does seem to be an inside bias from the 530 metre start at Angle Park at the moment.”

Of Springvale Maddi he said the bitch is very speedy but struggling to find strength at the end of her races.

“That will come for her as she gets into her race career,” he said. “She is only very young.”

Barber said most thoughts on the revamped Angle Park are highly positive.

“I believe everyone is very happy with the new track,” he said.