Striker Light and Up Hill Jill meet again


Striker Light and Up Hill Jill will do battle once again when they meet in this Thursday’s $145,000 group 1 female greyhound only Sapphire Crown.

The pair have met on six occasions with five of them in Group finals. Part-owner of Striker Light, George Farrugia is well aware of the rivalry.

“We haven’t missed each other that’s for sure,” said Farrugia.

“I think it’s a testament to the consistency of both chasers to make Group finals. I’ve heard David Geall say that’s it’s a bit like the female version of Federer v Nadal. That’s probably a good way of putting it!”

Striker Light has defeated Up Hill Jill in four of their six meetings however Up Hill Jill was victorious in December’s group 2 Laurels, their last encounter at Sandown Park.

“Huge respect for what Up Hill Jill has been able to do as a chaser. When the girls won their way through to the Easter Egg, their times were very similar. Thankfully we’ve been able to come up trumps in two Group 1 finals, but Jill was too good when we met at Sandown in the Laurels back in December.”

Farrugia says the group 1 Futurity at Wentworth Park was a memorable one being the first of Striker Light’s two wins at the level, the latter April’s Golden Easter Egg.

“The Futurity was obviously a huge night for us. Both girls were drawn well and Striker was able to show her blinding speed – the thrill of winning her first Group 1 was something that will stay with me for a very long time.”

Striker Light is known as one of the best greyhound’s in Australia which her resume certainly proves. She’s won $403,520 from just 24 career starts and doesn’t turn 3 until March next year.

“You couldn’t ever imagine owning a greyhound who has made eight group finals (five at group 1 level) in such a short space of time. She’s obviously got lots of talent, but she really is a competitive beast who is out there to win. I think the Golden Easter Egg final was proof of that. To be camped out wide and storm hard into the first corner set up her victory. Not all greyhounds are able to do that.”

Striker Light was runner-up behind Flyrite in her heat and has drawn box 3 in the final. Farrugia believes Thursday’s Sapphire Crown final is a big step up in competition compared to the heats.

“I thought her run last week after being posted wide and overcoming a bumping duel early was really impressive. It’s a final choc-full of quality, so making a mistake at box rise could prove very costly. There’s a lot of pace in the race, including speed from the greyhound drawn on our inside (Maja Mahi Mahi), so we need Striker to begin well. You don’t fluke winning group 1s, and beating greyhounds of the caliber of Up Hill Jill, Flyrite and Pepper Fire means you’ve certainly deserved it.”

The Sapphire Crown is part a group 1 triple bill at Sandown Park this Thursday night which also features the $145,000 Harrison-Dawson for the male sprinters, and the $250,000 RSN927 Sandown Cup, the world’s richest race for stayers.

There is a $250,000 projected TAB quaddie pool on Thursday night’s meeting. Click here for your free form guide.

Cameraemoji2: Part-owner and co-trainer Kelly Bravo with Striker Light

Striker Light defeats Up Hill Jill in the Group 1 National Futurity

Jason Adams
About Jason Adams - Racing Operations Coordinator at Sandown Park. Over 8 years involvement in greyhound racing and one of the sport's biggest and most passionate fans.
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