We are PROUD of our Texas Bred Greyhounds! CTW Miranda Kerr living up to expectations. Hopes were high when CTW Miranda Kerr arrived in Wheeling earlier this year after training at owner David Peck’s Texas farm.
Once on the Wheeling track, it didn’t take long for Clear The Way Kennel trainer Patrick Bever to see why. Bever saw Miranda Kerr’s potential immediately when she held her own against hotshot pup CTW Leona Brown in unofficial morning schooling. Leona Brown would go on to win eight out of her first 10 races, including four straight in Grade AA.
“Miranda Kerr and Leona Brown came to Wheeling at the same time with a lot of promise,” Bever noted. “In the morning, Miranda was the only dog fast enough to run against Leona.
“My jaw dropped when Miranda Kerr broke the track record. I couldn’t believe it,” Bever said. “The 5/16 record was one I thought would never be broken. To almost break 29 seconds is almost unheard of.”
Breaking from the one hole in her record run, Miranda Kerr zipped right to the front and never looked back. She was up by 5 lengths around the first turn and 8 lengths coming home before extending her advantage to 10 1/2 lengths at the wire.
“To beat a Grade AA field by 10 1/2 lengths is very, very impressive,” Bever said. “She does have bottom, but I think her game will be get out of the box quickly and see you later.”
In Miranda Kerr’s three other top grade victories, she came from third in the stretch to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 29.64, posted a box-to-wire 6-length romp in 29.31 and broke third but rushed to the top early and never looked back in winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 29.74 .
“She’s really powerful when she gets the lead early. She’s drawing out in the stretch,” Bever said. “I think it’s going to be difficult for any dog to catch her.”
Bever prefers Miranda Kerr on the inside.
“I like her near the rail, but she can go from any hole as long as she gets a decent break . She’s still learning how to race in traffic,” Bever said. “She may be older age-wise because she was held back on the farm awhile, but she’s still green at times when she tries to maneuver around other greyhounds.”
Miranda Kerr broke in at Wheeling in March, winning her first race – Grade D – by 3 lengths. She was either first or second in six out of her next seven trips as she climbed the ladder to Grade AA.
“Expectations were high when Miranda Kerr came in, but I didn’t expect her to go up the ladder to Grade AA in eight starts,” Bever said. “She has surprised me.”
In Miranda Kerr’s first Grade AA race in early May, the sprinter hurt her ankle while finishing fourth and was sidelined for two months.
“We took our time bringing her back. Right now she’s healthy and showing what she can do,” Bever said. “I don’t think she’s a fluke. I think she’ll remain a solid, steady Grade AA greyhound for the course of her career.”
In Miranda Kerr’s first 18 races, she had 8 wins, 5 seconds, 2 third and 1 fourth.
Clear The Way Kennel’s CTW Miranda Kerr has been either first or second in 13 out of her first 18 races at Wheeling Island. The sprinter is held by Jordon Williams (photo by Stan Pawloski)