No one was more excited to see Angie Rocks draw the coveted red box for this Thursday night’s $145,000 Group 1 Sapphire Crown than her trainer Mario Briganti.
The youngest and least experienced greyhound in the field, Angie Rocks stormed home in her heat after coming from sixth on the back straight to win by a half head.
After drawing box 1, tab.com.au installed Angie Rocks as the $2.70 favourite for the final.
“You never say no to the red box, especially in a Group 1 race – she still needs to take advantage of it however I wouldn’t swap the box for any other,” said Briganti.
“She’s not blessed with a lot of early speed. She’s going to have to take advantage of the box this Thursday night but looking at the race it looks like she could get a clear run early. Her forte is her run home and she’s won in 29.27 coming from behind, so if she’s in touch down the back she could be hard to beat.”
The key according to Briganti is to jump cleanly and hold her position around the first turn.
“I’d like to think she could rail up and lead out of the first bend, if that’s the case it would be times and margins I suppose (laughing). I’d love to think that’d happen, but as everyone knows you need to make your own luck in these types of races.”
Briganti has had a long association with Angie Rocks having bred and reared the young star, which would make a Group 1 win extra special.
“It’s always a bonus when you reared and whelped them at home, it would be nice but as we know they’re not easy to win.”
Briganti is no stranger to Group 1 racing in 2015 having competed in finals of the Silver Chief (5th) and Australian Cup (5th) with kennel star Emrys.
“I’ve had no luck in Group 1 races with Emrys – but she’s (Angie Rocks) a completely different greyhound, she’s got that X-factor about her.”
Owner Dom Grasso will be making the trip from West Australia to cheer on his young star.
“He’s had a couple of handy dogs in the past but this will be his first Group 1 finalist.
“He’s very excited, he’s a great owner and it would be great to get the win for him – he’s a really nice bloke.”
The Sapphire Crown is just one feature event on a big night of Group 1 racing, which includes the Harrison-Dawson and heats of the world’s richest race for stayers the RSN Sandown Cup.
Click here for Thursday’s form guide.
Click here for the latest TAB Sapphire Crown market.
Click here for Sandown Cup heats preview.
