Leap Of Faith Could Lead To Launching Pad Glory

A giant leap of faith has young South Australian ace Ben Rawlings eyeing the biggest paynight of his training career in Thursday night's Group 3 Launching Pad (515m) at Sandown Park.

Rawlings and his father Neil trusted the word of leading WA trainer Steve Withers when they purchased Launching Pad finalist Peaky Boo off the back of three uninspiring Cannington runs.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

In those first three outings, the son of Withers' former superstar Tommy Shelby and West On Poppy ran sixth and two sevenths, beaten a combined 34.5 lengths.

"I stayed with Steve (Withers) when Bogie Bekim won the (G1) Galaxy and we've maintained a really good relationship," Rawlings explained.

"Dad and a few of his mates were looking to buy a dog, something a bit better, so we reached out to Steve.

Peaky Boo has punched his ticket to the Launching Pad Heats at Sandown after winning the SA Launching Pad Final in a time of 30.82! Peace Belle was an excellent run for second while Lockaba Rocket rounded out the top three. Congratulations to all connections! pic.twitter.com/Z9w5ICXUv5

— Greyhound Racing SA News (@GRSANews) February 29, 2024

"When I looked at Peaky Boo's form I thought what's this, but Steve said ‘Trust me, he's better than his form looks'.

"We took Steve at his word and he hasn't let us down.

"The dog is still very immature but he has heaps of ability."

A litter brother to recent Perth Cup victor Uncle Tommy, Peaky Boo has gone from strength to strength for Rawlings, winning five of his last seven starts for six from 11 overall.

After securing his Launching Pad ticket via the SA qualifying event, Peaky Boo won his heat of the 1-6 wins series in 29.51sec, before a strong finishing second in his semi-final, where he came from sixth to be beaten three-quarters by Cruising Debbie in 29.52sec.

The lone interstate finalist has enjoyed a dream run with box draws throughout the series, exiting one and two in heat and semi respectively.

That good fortune continued with Peaky Boo again allocated the rails for the lucrative decider, where he's one of four contenders at single figures in betting, marked at $7.50.

"It's helped that through this series he's drawn a couple of inside boxes and he's got one again for the final!" Rawlings said.

"It gives him a chance.

"Whether he can beat some of these dogs, I'm not confident by any stretch, but the draw gives him a chance to get on the podium, which would be massive.

"He trialled 29.50sec at Sandown, won his heat in 29.51sec and then ran 29.57sec running second last week. It was a really big run.

"I think he can run mid-29.30s if he gets clear air and now he's had a couple of looks at the track.

"He's not a super quick beginner, but he's capable of running around 5.08sec early and if he can do that off box one that should put him right in the picture on the first turn."

Victory in the Launching Pad would be an early birthday present for Rawlings, who turns 33 next Wednesday (April 3).

The $150,000 winner's purse will also be the biggest win – monetarily – of the Lewiston mentor's career, surpassing Bogie Bekim's victories in the G1 Galaxy ($100,000) and then G2 Topgun Stayers ($75,000) in 2017.

"When Bogie Bekim won the Topgun Stayers he knocked off Fanta Bale," Rawlings recalled fondly.

"If Fanta Bale had won that night she would've gone past $1 million in prizemoney.

"Bogie Bekim started favourite in the Galaxy but he was 20/1 in the Topgun, so there were no expectations.

"The Galaxy was a Group 1, but winning a big race on a massive night in Melbourne is a different kettle of fish."