Harry Manolitsis is already a group 1 winning owner but will aim for his first as a trainer in Thursday night’s Sapphire Crown final.
He puts the polish on Elevated, or Ivy as she’s known at home, who in recent months has announced herself as one of the country’s fastest and most promising female sprinters.
She won at Sandown Park in a super quick 29.12 – the fastest time ran by a female sprinter since Xylia Allen’s 29.07 Shootout win in 2013. After short break she returned to compete in the Bill Collins Speed Star.
Manolitsis is no stranger to success at the highest level having owned 2016 Golden Easter Egg winner Moreira and star trotter Young Rufus in the early 2000’s.
“I’ve been training greyhounds since I was 20 (now in his 50’s). I grew up in Fawkner, when I was in high school I always used to see a fella walk his greyhounds. I approached him one day to talk about them, and it got going from there. I started walking his dogs when I was 16,” explained Manolitsis.
He trained for a decade before work restricted his participation to breeding and ownership.
“I trained from when I was 20-30 (years old), then I worked in the car industry for about 20 years. I was always involved in dogs throughout that time, breeding and owning.
“I had a heart attack in November 2016 and as a result I gave up work. I always thought when I reached retirement I was going to take up dogs and have a kennel of 8-10.”
Elevated was bred by Manolitsis and well-known cousins Serg and Bill Buccilli. Current ownership of Elevated lies with Manolitsis’ wife, Adean.
“She (Elevated) was reared with Karen Leek and when I broke her in I knew she was very good. She immediately showed ability.”
Although Elevated presents herself as a star on the race track, Manolitsis is more excited by her potential on the breeding scene. She hails from the same mother as freak brothers Bewildering and Extreme Magic.
“Even making these type of races enhances her reputation and the bloodline. I’m more looking forward to the breeding side of it rather than the racing side.”
Elevated enters this Thursday’s Sapphire Crown final after winning a heat last week, holding off star New South Wales chaser Miss Splendamiro.
“I was very happy with the run. Outside of Speed Star she’s only raced in restricted grade. It was a huge step in class and she handled it well.
“I’m one of eight chances. She’s drawn the middle but so be it, she’s going to learn from racing against a high class field. She’ll only improve.”
Elevated will jump from box 5 in the $145,000 Sapphire Crown final and is rated a $3.80 chance with tab.com.au
The Sapphire Crown is the country’s premier race for female sprinters and is one of three group 1 finals to be run tomorrow night, along with the Harrison-Dawson for the male sprinters, and the $250,000 RSN Sandown Cup.
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