Home-bred success was a strong theme of last night’s racing at Sandown Park, with Peter Akathiotis (pictured) and John Galea combining for a race-to-race double with greyhounds produced by their own sire and dam.
Akathiotis’ Blue Striker took out the feature event of the night, the GRV Vic Bred Grade 5 final.
He produced a gutsy effort to win his heat last Friday and duplicated the run in the final. He began well to settle in a forward position but then had the height of pressure on him in the run to the line as the strong Azkaban stormed home. Blue Striker held on to win by a ¼ of a length in a solid time of 29.45.
“To back up last week’s win in this fashion is really pleasing. Hopefully he can continue on this form,” said Akathiotis.
The field he defeated was strong which underlined the quality of his win.
“He’s a good dog and still building his career. It was just his 13th start tonight and doesn’t turn two-years-old until November, so I hope he’s still got improvement to come.”
In the race prior John Galea was successful with Sisco Ride. Galea has had greyhounds for most of his life and has always stuck with the bloodlines of his own breed.
“I’ve always raced only my own dogs over the 45 years that I’ve been involved,” said Galea.
Sisco Ride led all of the way to space his rivals by six lengths in a heat over 595m. Many greyhound followers will be familiar with his sire, Sisco Rage, who was well known for his strength and longevity.
Sisco Ride has drawn box 5 in next Thursday night’s final.
Also next week, greyhound racing’s leading stayers Tornado Tears and Rippin’ Sam will go one-on-one over 595m in a ‘Battle of the Brothers’. Click here more information
Click here for all of last night’s results
