Victa Damian set for Sandgroper test
Rising South Australian superstar, Victa Damian, will aim to make history this Friday night when he lines up in the inaugural ‘Sandgroper’ at Cannington in Western Australia, a slot purchased race that has drawn together a stellar field for the $300,000 to the winner event.
Victa Damian will represent ‘Ladbrokes’ in the race, with the betting giant having locked in the young dog earlier this year, after his breathtaking National Derby heat victory at Wentworth Park.
“They (Ladbrokes) approached Tony after he won the heats of the National Derby, then reapproached on Derby night before he won the final. We just kept up the conversations from there, it was an honour to be asked by them.” said co-trainer Lisa Rasmussen
Having been locked into this race for some time, it allowed Victa Damian to trial at Cannington a few weeks ago, an experience and trip that went perfectly, with his trial time of 29.63, suggesting that the unique track will pose no problems to him.
After failing in a semi-final of the Golden Easter Egg a few weeks ago, Victa Damian received a slight setback when he pulled up sore from the run. Despite this, he has been able to work well at home since and has all systems ready for Friday night’s race.
“He’s just been working at home, with a couple of slips up our straight track. He had a sore spot that we’ve worked on from when he got seven days at Wentworth Park, but that’s all good to go.” said Lisa.
“He flew out yesterday (Tuesday), he’s staying with Greg Horne. Rebecca is over there with him.”
It’s an incredibly strong field and no doubt the toughest that Victa Damian has ever faced, with the country’s fastest greyhound Wow She’s Fast engaged in the race, alongside some flying Western Australians in the form of Electrified and Elite Machine.
The box draw was held on Tuesday night and it has proven to be a good one for Victa Damian, with the brindle dog drawing box two, with Wow She’s Fast outside him in box three and a couple of other favourites drawn wider out. It’s a draw that gives Victa Damian a hope in the race and one that is pleasing for the Rasmussen team.
“We’re quite happy with the draw, he should beat Momentum out, not sure about it though. The key to the race is whether he can push up under Wow She’s Fast, if Wow She’s Fast crosses him then I don’t think we have much hope. But if he can push up under then we have a chance. I think Couch Surfer will be behind them both and hopefully he doesn’t get a run-through. I think Fernando Mick could very well hold out Electrified and Elite Machine.” said Lisa.
In a race with so many chances, Lisa was quite clear as to who she feels is the hardest to beat in the contest.
“Wow She’s Fast because she’s just the best dog in Australia! And Elite Machine because he’s in top WA form.” exclaimed Lisa.
The race will be run at 9:08pm South Australian time on Friday, with many eyes around the country set to be tuning in.
Pictures: Kurt Donsberg