Schillaci sizzles to Derby glory at Angle Park
Victorian greyhound Schillaci produced one of the fastest times on the redeveloped Angle Park circuit stopping the clock in 30.00 even in taking out the 2023 Group 3 SA Derby on Thursday night.
The red-hot favourite for the Derby after drawing box one following its impressive heat win in 30.27, Schillaci left its rivals in its wake in the final producing a scintillating 5.10 first split which is just shy of the 5.04 record set by He’s On Fire.
Schillaci enjoyed the clear running in front bursting away from its rivals down the back and extending away with a 12.67 run home and winning by five and a half lengths.
It was as an all Victorian first four with the Jeffrey Britton trained trio of Weblec Wolf, Mepunga Smokey and Departed rounding out the first four.
Speaking with greyhoundracingsa.com.au, trainer Jihad Talgi said he was blown away by the improvement at which Schillaci had made in his three visits to Angle Park.
“We came up here and trialled on a Monday and he ran 30.53 and a couple of the locals said the track wasn’t really fast on a Monday and they thought he would really improve from that trial run,” Talgi said.
“He came out last week in the howling winds and ran 30.27 and we were shocked and tonight he comes out and runs that I’m just absolutely thrilled. “
While Schillaci impressed over the 530m trip at Angle Park, Talgi admitted he had his abouts the chasers ability to get the trip after many of its early races were over the 450m at Warrnambool, the 460m at Warragul and the 515m journey at Sandown Park.
“When you are a young dog you just don’t know how they are going to run the 530,” Talgi said.
“It was an incredible start, he just had to lead and have that few lengths on them and he kicked away in the home straight.”
“When they can do it and do it in a fast time where no one has run those times for a long time here its absolutely thrilling and I am over the moon.”
Schillaci’s run moves it into the top echelon of times at the redeveloped Angle Park with only four chasers including group one winners Wow She’s Fast and Aston Rupee.
With a trio of impressive performances behind it now at Angle Park, trainer Talgi was now looking to bigger goals with his rising star including the SA vs All Stars Match Race series and the Group 1 2023 TAB Adelaide Cup.
“I think he handles Angle Park really well,” Talgi said.
“Hopefully nothing goes wrong between now and then and we will get him looked at and we will come back for the heats or the match race and see what happens. “
As well as on the track, Talgi also hopes his good fortune can continue on the football field with the devout Collingwood supporter also hoping for premiership success for his beloved Magpies.
“It’s been a great couple of weeks and hopefully it keeps going on the field next week and then back here the week after.”