‘Special moment’ as Victa Damian claims Howard Ashton final
Victa Damian has continued to enhance his reputation as a rising star of Australian greyhound racing after taking out the Group 3 Howard Ashton final at Angle Park on Thursday night. Defying a competitive field and Adelaide’s wet weather, Victa Damian kicked away down the back straight burning off the field to win by nine lengths in 30.21.
He defeated Live It also for the Rasmussen team while the Tim Richards trained Coorong Cam finished in third with an impressive run.
The win capped a special night for the Rasmussen team who had seven of the eight runners in the final including six from the same litter (Fernando Bale x Victa Polly) bred by Ron Schadow.
Schadow was on course for the race last night and Tony Rasmussen said it was a special moment to have him there to watch the litter compete in the final.
“To have Ron here tonight is enormous and it’s a special moment for us,” Rasmussen said.
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“They (Ron and Joan Schadow) are like family to me and Lisa. He is like my father. We have become part of their family and the girls have accepted us and we have become one big family, it is enormous.”
Rasmussen’s thoughts were echoed by Schadow who said it was unbelievable to produce a dog of the quality of Victa Damian.
“It is a special litter and it’s only taken me 89 years,” Schadow said.
“It (Victa Damian) is certainly a special dog and a lot of the younger ones that are coming on as well, it is part of a special group of dogs.
Schadow is no stranger to having success in the race with Victa Brooke winning the race in 2013 while Victa Haydn won the race in 2021.
After breaking the track record in its heat and producing an excellent run last week, Victa Damian entered Thursday’s final as the red-hot favourite and jumping from box one.
While there was initially some trepidation about the inside draw in a race full of early speed, Rasmussen said that some work during the week had Victa Damian prepared for anything.
“He actually jumped like he does in the trials,” Rasmussen said.
“We did a bit of work with him at home this week and what we have done with him has really worked.
“Honestly now, we are not worried what box he will come out of, he showed that tonight and he nearly led that race and there was a lot of early pace in that race.”
The win was Victa Damian’s 13th career win from just 19 starts which includes a perfect nine for nine record on his home track at Angle Park.
Punters will not have to wait long to see the star chaser in action again with Victa Damian heading to Queensland alongside three of his kennel mates for the Group 2 Flying Amy heats next Thursday with eyes on a potential Brisbane Cup tilt next month.
Victa Damian will be joined on his Brisbane journey by Victa Speed, Anniversary Cup winner Victa Alby and Live It who produced an eye-catching run for second place.
“Victa Damian is off to Brisbane, we are heading up Saturday and he will have a short box to box trial there Monday night and then into the heats of the Flying Amy,” Rasmussen said.
“We will see how they go at Albion Park and then decide whether we go back for the Brisbane Cup or not.”