By Mick Floyd and Jason Adams
Last year’s Sandown Cup winner Tornado Tears showed why he is regarded as one of the most exciting stayers of his generation with a dazzling display in his heat on Thursday night .
Despite him spending four weeks away from the track recovering from an injured pad, punters sent Tornado Tears to the boxes, and the $1.04 favourite for the second time in his career and didn’t disappoint those who took the short quote. He began cleanly from Box 5 and found his way to the rail despite being put under early pressure.
Improving to second place past the post the first time, ‘Batman’ set off in pursuit of leader It’s A Frenzy entering the back straight and quickly assumed the lead before racing to a nine-length victory over Two Times Twice, clocking a slick 41.37 seconds.
While the crowd – and social media – was abuzz with the remarkable performance, trainer Robert Britton was more relieved his charge had progressed through to the final.
“(It’s a feeling of) Terrific relief really,” Britton said.
“Even though the dog has healed he hasn’t been able to put in the work that we really wanted to, so I was going in knowing we were a little underdone, but he got a great clear run in the race and that’s exactly what we need at this time.
“He’s blowing a lot more than he normally does, but as long as he has a nice easy week he should strip fitter next week.”
The win improved his record over the Sandown Park 715-metre journey to seven wins from as many starts, and his winning margin was his third biggest behind his epic 18-length victory when breaking the Cannington track record in March and his staying debut in April 2018 in which he won by 11.14 lengths.
His winning time was the ninth-fastest ever run, giving Tornado Tears four of the 10 fastest times recorded.
Looking ahead to Friday night’s Sandown Cup, and Tornado Tears has opened the $1.65 favourite with tab.com.au despite drawing Box 6.
Britton was disappointed with the draw however he is confident that ‘Batman’ is in good order ahead of Friday night’s final, which is the world’s richest race for stayers.
“You take what you get, you can’t change anything,” said Britton.
“I was concerned he might have pulled up a bit flat, but I’m really happy with him.”
He is attempting to become just the sixth greyhound to defend his Sandown Cup title after Paul’s Thunder (1971 and 1972), Lizrene (1973 and 1974), Bold Trease (1986,1987 ,1988 and 1989), Imra Bale (2012 and 2013) and Sweet It Is (2014 and 2015) were successful in at least going back-to-back. After winning the Cup from Box 7 last year, Britton believes he’s racing just as well this time around.
“At his best and with a clear run he can still run the same time as last year, (but) you’ve got the best greyhounds in Australia in the race – it doesn’t matter who you are, you need that luck going into the first turn.”
Ella Enchanted and Bago Bye Bye are the only other runners in single figure odds at $3.80 and $4.40 respectively in what is a hot field.
The Sandown Cup (715m) – first ran in 1963 and first known as the Woolamai Cup – has total prize money of $250,000, with $175,000 for the winner, $50,000 for second-place and $25,000 for third.
The carnival kicked off on Sunday 5 May with the Group 3 Bill Collins Speed Star, with the heats for the Cup on Thursday 16 May, as well as the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson (515m) and Group 1 Sapphire Crown (515m).
The RSN Sandown Cup leads a Group 1 triple-header on Friday night with the Harrison-Dawson and Sapphire Crown to be run, as well as plenty of entertainment, including an appearance from Geelong AFL great Billy Brownless. Entry is free.
Here is the full Box Draw for the RSN Sandown Cup:
Box Greyhound Trainer Price
1 Peppertide Brendan Pursell $51
2 Bago Bye Bye Darren Russell $4.40
3 Ella Enchanted Brooke Ennis $3.80
4 Two Times Twice John Finn $31
5 Blue Moon Rising John Finn $15
6 Tornado Tears Robert Britton $1.65
7 Rajasthan Robert Camilleri $51
8 Poco Dorado John Finn $15
9 Dyna Chancer (RES) Correy Grenfell $9
10 Kanzan (RES) Terry Reid $26
For more information, head to sandowngreyhounds.com.au
