Veteran trainer Jim Redenbach lives by the adage that if you’re on a good thing you stick to it.
So it comes as little surprise that the Redenbach-trained Riccarton Rick heads into Thursday night’s opening Launching Pad semi-final as a warm favourite boasting seven career wins – all of them at Sandown Park.
“I say it’s the best track in Australasia – no question,” Redenbach said.
“I’ve won a lot of good races at Sandown and I just find there’s less interference and every dog gets its chance. If a dog is going to take a liking to a track you want it to be there.”
Due to both Redenbach’s good fortune and astute management, Riccarton Rick has taken to Sandown Park like a duck to water.
And he’s got the record to support it.
Last Thursday, the son of Walk Hard stormed into Launching Pad calculations with a powerhouse 29.27 heat win, extending his overall record to seven wins and nine placings from just 22 starts.
“I first got him when he was 16 months old and told the owners they had a good dog on their hands but he was going to be a work in progress,” Redenbach said.
“I turned him out for a few months and then just brought him along slowly. You could see the ability was there but early on he was doing a lot wrong in his races.
“It just took time and patience to educate him about what racing was all about.”
Redenbach has been training for over 50 years.
Just some of the greyhounds he’s prepared from his Cranbourne kennels include the likes of Hotshot, Little Promise, Shimaguni and Shadale.
“I just love the animal – everything else is secondary,” Redenbach said.
“For me they’re pets as much as they are race dogs. In fact, Riccarton Rick reminds me of the cartoon dog Pluto. He’s always at the back door wagging his tale trying to get into the house.
“He’s got his quirks – a little different.”
Riccarton Rick is a $2.10 favourite with Tab.com.au to take out the first of four Launching Pad semi-finals on Thursday night from box four.
The exciting speedster already boasts scalps at Sandown Park the caliber of 15-time group finalist Tiggerlong Tonk, Group 1 Australian Cup placegetter Lakeview Cruiser and Kuro Kismet, a flying 29.18 Launching Pad heat winner last Thursday.
“He’s fit and well and I think open to more improvement,” Redenbach said.
“He lacks a yard or two of pace early but providing he gets into the race he’ll be hard to hold out.
“I love winning a coursing event just the same as I do a group race or maiden at Cranbourne.
“But if we could win this race for the owners it would be special. The owners Adam, Tony and Richard are terrific people who love their dogs.”
The winner and runner-up in each of Thursday night’s four Launching Pad semi-finals will progress through to the $210,000 finale on April 1.
Click here for Thursday’s Watchdog form guide.
Courtesy Adam Dobbin, The Greyhound Recorder – www.thegreyhoundrecorder.com.au
