CINDEEN Shelby stamped herself as Australia's premier sprinter with a devastating win in the $72,500 Group 1 Macro Meats Crown Classic at Sandown Park last Thursday night.
Having secured the Paws of Thunder at Wentworth Park in Sydney followed by the Sky Racing Topgun at the Meadows a week later, she clinched her third consecutive Group 1 title inside four weeks with an all-the-way win in Australia's premier race for female greyhounds.
"I still can't believe it," said handler Jackie Greenough. When she led through the first turn I looked to see where [favourite] Queen Lauryn was and, when I saw she was back in the pack, I started to get excited."
Trained by Jackie's husband, Kel, the daughter of Triple Crown winner Bombastic Shiraz took advantage of her box 1 draw, jumping well to hold her position on the rail going through the first turn before opening a two-length margin on Bora Bale.
She maintained her margin in the run to the line and claimed the $50,000 first prize, holding off Flash Of Light while Bora Bale chased to finish third.
Kel Greenough was effusive in his praise of his champion speedster.
"I would really like to thank (owner) Ray Parkinson - it's so hard to get hold of a dog like this."
The heats of the Solo Melbourne Cup will be run on Thursday, November 19, with the final to be run the following week on November 26.