Greyhound racing’s “next big thing”, Hard Style Rico, took out the CKH Painting Shepparton Cup final on Saturday night.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Bred, owned and trained by Luckie Karabitsakos, Hard Style Rico cemented his rating as one of the most gifted greyhounds in Australia when he broke Shepparton’s longstanding 450 m track record in his heat five nights earlier, stopping the clock at 24.77 seconds.
Considered one of three main chances in the final along with two-time Group One winner Whiskey Riot ($2.50 favourite) and the sublimely talented Jebrynah ($3.80), Hard Style Rico produced a carbon copy of his heat win, sweeping around the outside of his rivals from box 8 and winning comfortably, paying $2.80 for the win.
“I’m rapt. He’s gone super tonight. He backed it up from his heat which is really important to do . . . he’s something special,” Karabitsakos, who is based at Pearcedale, said.
It was fourth time lucky for Hard Style Rico at black type level — he had finished unplaced three times in Group One finals.
“He’s still a young dog. He’s only had 18 starts and he’s contested four Group races and won one of them now. I think he’s still learning the caper, but it’s all starting to come together for him,” Karabitsakos said.
It was Hard Style Rico’s 10th win from 18 starts and the $47 000 first prize sent his stakes spiralling to $92 610.
He clocked 24.80 sec in the final, meaning he now holds the two fastest 450 m race times recorded at Shepparton.
“At 13 months old I knew this dog was going to be a Group dog. He had his box tonight. He does like to be out wide and doesn’t like dogs coming in on him. But I’m hoping he eventually learns to race just as well from inside draws,” Karabitsakos said.
A significant decision was made last week that greyhound racing would continue into the foreseeable future — minus the crowds — amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can relive all the action from Shepparton Cup night and keep up-to-date with all the highlights of the greyhound racing world by following WatchDog Racing on Twitter and Facebook.
9°C