Off The Chart has continued his rapid rise, claiming back-to-back Country Cups with a brilliant win in Saturday night’s Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup (450m).
Trained by Peter Presutto, the emerging star overcame a slow start before unleashing powerful mid-race speed to charge through the field and take control.
He held off a strong late challenge from NSW raider Gold Force, the race favourite at box rise, to score in a personal best time of 24.70 seconds.
Fastest qualifier Canya Excite Me finished third, while Dapper Chap produced the run of his career to finish an eye-catching fourth in a race widely regarded as one of the strongest country cup fields assembled in recent years.
The victory follows Off The Chart’s breakthrough Group success in the Ballarat Cup earlier this month and pushes his prizemoney beyond $130,000 from just 20 starts.
Long touted as a greyhound of serious potential, Off The Chart is now delivering on the big stage after overcoming early career setbacks.
The depth of Saturday night’s field was highlighted by Australian Cup winner Dramatical, who was forced to settle at the back of the field after stumbling at the start.
Despite his talent, he was unable to make up ground in a race dominated by Presutto’s rising star.