Space Star went one better than his grandmother Tears when he broke the Richmond 618m record on Wednesday at his first race start.
At just 21 months of age, the Dawn Garrett-trained juvenile stunned racegoers with an all the way win in 35 seconds flat, shaving 0.16 off Where’s Keroma’s track record.
Anthony Azzopardi, who trains Where’s Keroma, was in awe of Space Star’s performance.
"His early splits were equivalent to top grade times and his run home was 15.15, again equal to first class figures," Anthony remarked.
"On those times Space Star will run 700 metres plus for sure."
But trainer Dawn Garrett is in no hurry to test the youngster’s stamina and intends giving the dog three weeks break.
"Space Star is out of a bitch called Tonto Tears who was no champion but won 14 races in Queensland," Dawn said.
"But Tonto Tears was produced by Tears who held the Richmond 618m record for a long while.
"Tears ran the record in her second race win so Space Star has outdone her, breaking the record as a previously unraced maiden."
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While Anthony Azzopardi was gobsmacked by Space Star’s Richmond win, he had his own cause for celebration when his 21 month old puppy Shoulders went within 0.05 of Double Twist’s track record over 520m at Dapto on Thursday.
Shoulders had won a Dapto maiden in a brilliant 29.77 at his only previous start.
"I had a fair idea he was capable of going close to the record and now we’ve got to see if he keeps going," Anthony said.
"He is owned by Deborah and Brett May and was whelped by their bitch Bit Stressed, who is a sister to their 2010 National Futurity winner Daydream.
"Shoulders got his name after breaking his shoulder while he was being educated.
"I was toying with the idea of taking him to Sandown for next month’s Launching Pad series but because he is young I’m inclined to avoid all that travelling with him at this stage.
"So the plan is to nominate Shoulders for Wentworth Park next Friday night and then enter him for the New Sensation heats at Wenty on April 4."
