In The Media
TOP trainer Troy Sharpe has a choice to make with much improved Berella Rihanna.
Sharpe is tossing up between a start in the Townsville and Darwin Cups for the daughter of Bombastic Shiraz-Berella Xena.
Berella Rihanna put that choice on Troy’s plate when she proved too good for a 520m Best 8 field at Albion Park on Thursday night.
She scored by three and a quarter lengths in 30.24 beating Gnarley Boy with a half length to Premier Chief getting home well at the finish for third.
Berella Rihanna took her record to 18 wins, but Sharpe has had her in his kennel for only the past four months.
“I’ve won six races with her,” he said.
Sharpe is leaning toward a start in the Group 3 Townsville Cup over 498m.
“The bitch is suited from boxes on a turn like the 600 metres at Albion Park, and Townsville’s 498 metre start is on a turn,” said Sharpe. “And she begins so well.”
Sharpe gave his bitch a great chance in the Best 8 despite a classy field.
“I thought she was very well boxed from the two,” he said. “When she is drawn wide she tends to crash to the fence. She got away with it last week.”
The bitch led throughout from box eight a week ago winning in 30.14.
Sharpe had done a great job with Berella Rihanna switching her from 600m racing back to 520m and winning in top grade with her.
“I don’t even train this bitch,” said Troy.
“She does nothing between races and I like to race her only once a week at the most,” he said.
Sharpe was given the bitch to train by breeder-owner Laureene Renner after she had spent four months out of training with a slight hock injury.
"I went over to get a couple of other dogs but I told Laureene I wasn't leaving without Berella Rihanna," said Troy. "I wanted to give her a try."
He hasn't regretted that at all.
Written by David Brasch - source http://www.greyhoundsqueensland.com.au/
