TAB Melbourne Cup winner Whiskey Riot has run his final race.
Trainer Anthony Azzopardi reported that Whiskey Riot cracked a toe nail while working in preparation for Thursday night’s group 3 Easter Gift, and with uncertainty surrounding upcoming feature races, made the decision to retire his dual group 1 winner.
“It’s only minor but won’t be 100% for Thursday night,” Azzopardi said.
“It was probably going to be his final race anyway so I think it’s the right time to retire him. He’s done more than enough for us – he still loves racing but he is getting a little bit older now, and after Thursday night there’s not a whole lot of races for him and I don’t want to race him just for the sake of racing him. He’s too good for that.”
Whiskey Riot retires the 9th highest prize money earner in the sport with $812,295. He won 22 of his 45 starts including twice at group 1 level – the TAB Melbourne Cup and Temlee – and was placed in the Australian, Adelaide, Ballarat and Shepparton Cups, as well as the Topgun, Maturity and Shootout. He is the highest ranked Greyhound Clubs Australia greyhound for the current racing season.
As impressive as his on track exploits have been it’s the greyhound’s manner away from the track that so endeared him to his trainer, and Azzopardi was over the moon that owners Sandra and Colin Bermingham had decided that ‘Red’ would remain with him as he embarks on his stud career.
“It’s such a great bond and I always wanted him to stay with me. When they (Colin and Sandra) made the decision for him to stay with me and I was pretty excited to be honest.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of great dogs, but this dog here, he’s a little bit more special because of the bond we’ve got.”
Despite the scratching of the six-time group 1 finalist, the Easter Gift remains one of the races of the year, with Whiskey Riot’s replacement will be confirmed at the close of scratchings at 8.30am Thursday. A ballot will determine whether TAB Australian Cup finalist Last Hurrah or Horsham Cup runner up Mepunga Pegasus will take his place in the field.
The Easter Gift, race 6, is scheduled to jump at 8.49pm.
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide.
Connections have launched a website for Whiskey Riot, check it out at www.whiskeyriot.com.au
