Days after contesting the world’ richest greyhound race, trainer Jason Sharp is still on cloud nine.
His star greyhound, Kouta Mayhem, has given the 46 year old trainer from Lara the most memorable ride in his decade of training greyhounds.
Kouta Mayhem was touted by many as a candidate to lead the TAB Melbourne Cup final, however the normally reliable beginner bombed the start and was a clear last passing the post the first time. His early misstep did allow him to find a position on the rail, and when the leaders came together through the first turn, Kouta Mayhem railed through to find himself in second place behind eventual winner Aston Dee Bee. Turning for home, Chasin’ Crackers ran into second place in the run home leaving ‘Sonny’ to finish third, less than six lengths adrift of runaway winner Aston Dee Bee.
“To run third in the Melbourne Cup… I don’t know it’s still surreal,” said Sharp.
“When he slipped on the mat I just thought our night was over, but the way he railed through that first turn was unbelievable. We were just glad to be in it and really happy to run third.
“We’ve had a really good year, but this is the ultimate really.”
Jason and Jessica Sharp share what it’s like being a part of the world’s richest greyhound race
An appearance in the TAB Melbourne Cup puts an exclamation mark on what has been a landmark year for Sharp, who in partnership with his wife Jessica has registered over 300 winners across the state in the last 12 months. The $60,000 cheque for running third is the biggest won by a Sharp trained greyhound, and while financially rewarding, the achievement of running a place in the world’s richest greyhound race against the best chasers in the world proved particularly satisfying for the former refrigeration mechanic.
“We’ve had plenty of calls, lots of people really happy and excited for us. Even my parents, dad has always been supportive but he thought I’d made the wrong decision by not continuing my career. I think now he realises that if we have the dogs we can do it.”
A full time trainer for the last six years, Sharp rates Kouta Mayhem the fastest greyhound he’s ever trained. The son of 2012 National Sprint Champion Fabregas has now won $115,900 from just 26 career starts. His next assignment is Saturday night’s Energis Ballarat Cup heat that will see him meet a quality field including fellow TAB Melbourne Cup finalist Aston Miley and Warrnambool Cup winner Leo’s Gift.
Kouta Mayhem (2) runs a gallant third in the TAB Melbourne Cup
Click here for Saturday night’s Energis Ballarat Cup heat fields.
Click here for full results from the TAB Melbourne Cup.
