Full On Bling dropped the jaw of all patrons yesterday at Sandown Park having set a blistering 29.15 in his trial for the Speed Star.
Trainer John Westerlo admitted he was concerned when Full On Bling’s second split time of 18.96 appeared however remained confident of a strong run home.
“I expected him to go about 5.18 to the first split but he only ran 5.24. When he set 18.97 down the back I thought he’s got a bit of work to do but knowing how strong he is I knew he would come home hard, then 29.15 came up with a 10.19 run home – that’s just unheard of,” said Westerlo.
“He hasn’t gone that quick in a trial before though I don’t trial my dogs often, I prefer to free gallop them.”
Full On Bling’s time placed him in second place on the Speed Star leader board behind Fernando Bale (28.98), almost guaranteeing his spot in the series’ main event. Prior to the trial Westerlo raised the possibility of Full On Bling breaking the magical 29 second barrier.
“I said to Carol (Westerlo’s wife) ‘it wouldn’t surprise me if he broke 29 seconds’, I’m not saying he could but it wouldn’t surprise me.”
Westerlo recalls a time when Full On Bling was set to trial in wintery conditions and had his ability questioned by a fellow trainer.
“He trialed at Sandown one day and it was pelting down with rain you could hardly see the track – a bloke was there to run a satisfactory trial but the others never showed up.
“Geoff Collins was there and asked how I rated the track, I said ‘it’s pretty hard going, it wouldn’t be too flash.’
“I said to the bloke who was going to run in the trial ‘you’re better off not going up against mine he’s goes pretty quick’. He said ‘I’ll trial I don’t care – what do you think he’ll run?’ I replied ‘in these conditions he’ll probably run 29.30’. He then said ‘what are you talking about a dog can’t run that time in these conditions’. Around he (Full On Bling) went, and ran 29.30.”
Full On Bling has struggled to consistently put his best paw forward on race day, however still boasts an impressive record having won 9 and placed in eight of his 29 starts.
“He should be winning group races with his ability but unfortunately he’s just different, there’s not much you can do about it, that’s just him.”
With the Speed Star just over one week away, Westerlo will stick to his usual training regime in the attempt to keep Full On Bling fresh leading up to the night.
“We know he’s going to run the 515m no worries. I’ll just let him frollock around in the yard here, he’ll have his free gallop at Cranbourne race course every morning with his mates – he loves that.”
Full On Bling was one of four greyhounds who trialed yesterday in an attempt to improve their fastest time at the track. Brooke Ennis’ Margins marginally improved his time running 29.284, Jason Thompson’s Dalgetty set 29.335, and Brendan Dewan’s Dewana Result recorded 29.245.
For trials booked, leader board and details on the Speed Star click here.
Full On Bling sets a blistering 29.150