She has the name befitting a star, and on Thursday night she’ll be aiming to etch it onto one of greyhound racing most prestigious honour boards.
Rockstar Stratus arrived in trainer Brooke Ennis’s kennels boasting six wins from 15 starts around New South Wales, including a number of eye catching victories in slick times. Since arriving in early November, Rockstar Stratus has thrived in her new environment posting impressive victories is her heat and semi-final and is one of just two greyhounds to remain undefeated through group 2 Laurels series. She is the current TAB favourite for Thursday night’s $72,000 final.
“She was in our kennels 6-8 weeks before we raced her, it’s something we like to do,” said Ennis.
“We don’t rush them even though they come down in great order and they’re fit, we like to settle them in and show them around and we like to trial them before we race them at a track.
“Her run the week before was a little better time wise (29.48 in her heat and 29.65 in the semi-final) but she hit the start and it was good to see her bring her NSW form along.”
Ennis is no stranger to a fast dog, but Rockstar Stratus provides particular excitement for the kennel having been sired by Ennis’ former track star My Bro Fabio, a three time group 1 winner widely considered one of the fastest chasers of his time. Ennis recognises the significance a win in a race such as this – the equivalent to thoroughbred racing’s Victorian Oaks – can have on a stud dog early in his career, as well as the breeding prospects for Rockstar Stratus in the future.
“When they (Rockstar Stratus’s owners Chris Nutt and Shaun Evans) bought the straw, they kept in touch and it went from there really. They were happy with her when they broke in and did a great job with her. When you are a trainer with a dog with some potential it would be hard to give it to another trainer to train.
“It’s nice to have a dog in the kennel that’s by him and looks to have a bit of potential. It’s good for ‘Fabio’, good for us and even better for the owners.”
The Laurels have unearthed a number of greyhounds that have gone on to become champions of the sport, with the 2016 edition being one of the finest of them all. The winner Up Hill Jill defeated Fanta Bale, with Striker Light also making the final. Those three greyhounds have gone on to win 10 group 1 races and over $2m in prize money between them.
“We certainly haven’t won a Laurels and I’m not sure if we’ve been in a final. It’s exciting to be there and even more exciting that she’s out of Fabio as well.
“I just hope she can begin as well as she did in her semi-final. If she can come out and settle like she has in the last two starts she definitely puts herself in the race.”
The Laurels final is race 6 on the card and is projected to boast a $50,000 TAB First 4 pool.
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