2 weeks Ago By Matt Zis
Molfetta Cruise claimed his second group race in as many months when he clung on to victory in the Group 2 All Stars Sprint (488m) at Greyhounds WA Mandurah last Saturday. The classy black speedster picked up the Mandurah Cup in the middle of September and has been on a magical run of form since the start of June with 11 wins from his past 19 starts. Molfetta Cruise launched well from “the lemon”, box five, to quickly overhaul Wise Barra for the lead and break to a handy advantage down the back.
Emerald Guard emerged from the pack as the main pursuer and he began to take ground off Molfetta Cruise as they approached the turn, setting up an exciting finish. The pair battled it out in the home straight, with Emerald Guard inching up to level with Molfetta Cruise, and there was very little to separate them when they hit the line. The judge was forced to go to photo and ruled Molfetta Cruise had just held on score by the narrowest of margins in 27.
11. After the race, Molfetta Cruise’s veteran trainer Nick Minutillo compared the chaser to some of the best dogs that he’s ever been involved with, including 1995 Greyhound the Year winner Wit’s End. “Wit’s End and in more recent times Nero Bolt come to mind but this guy (Molfetta Cruise) is probably as good if not better than those two,” Minutillo said.
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