Australia’s fastest greyhound Aston Rupee headlines the $25,000 winner-take-all Shootout this Thursday night at Sandown Park.
He backs up after his win in last Saturday’s G1 TAB Topgun at The Meadows. His trainer Glenn Rounds says the Shootout will be perfect preparation for TAB Melbourne Cup heats the following Friday.
“He’s pulled up a treat. He’ll need a run come Thursday and from my point of view there’s no point having him trial somewhere, he thrives on racing and it works perfectly for him,” said Rounds.
Aston Rupee will line up in the Shootout two weeks after a TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude win in 28.89 – the second fastest time ever set at the track and a tenth off his track record.
He’ll be challenged by Tiggerlong Tonk again after the pair traded blows to fill the quinella in Saturday’s Topgun. ‘Tonk’ is the defending Shootout champion and only the great Fernando Bale has broken 29.20 as many times as he has.
McCooly’s Lad and Lakeview Walter are the other two greyhounds that make up the four-dog spectacular. The pair have proven their ability to set fast times at the track with recent efforts of 29.11 and 29.16 respectively.
Lakeview Walter will jump from box 1, Aston Rupee from box 3, McCooly’s Lad from box 5 and Tiggerlong Tonk from box 7.
Jungle Deuce and Kinson Bale are the reserves – if there is to be a scratching a reserve will be drawn randomly.
All Shootout finalists are exempt into TAB Melbourne Cup heats. This Thursday will also see the final Prelude series of the world’s greatest greyhound race. It’s a last ditch effort for greyhounds to lock their spot in Cup heats on Friday November 19.
Click here for the night’s fields
Click here for TAB’s Shootout market
Click here for Cup info and merchandise
If you wish to attend on the night booking is essential – there are a number of requirements for those who intend to come which includes being fully vaccinated. Click here to book and for more information
