Evil Punk's dominant performance in his Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg semi final has alleviated any concerns trainer Jim Coyle had about his star greyhound's confidence.
Evil Punk (pictured, yellow rug) won his semi-final in a time of 29.70, which was the fastest time of the night. The chaser led from the start and was never headed as he posted a convincing 5 1/4 length win over the rest of the field which included multiple Group race winner Dyna Nalin and in form Victorian dog Warrior King.
Coyle was thrilled with Evil Punk's performance but admits there were some nervous moments for him in the lead-up to the race after the greyhound fell following a lure malfunction during the heats. In the start prior to that, Evil Punk had also fallen on the first bend at Wentworth Park.
"I was definitely worried about what effect it would have him that's for sure. Two big falls in the space of three weeks is tough on any dog,” Coyle said.
"I thought there was a chance that the fall would affect him, but I'm not surprised it didn't. He's had falls before and he's managed to get through it. He's just a really good hardened chaser.
"His heart got him through as usual."
Evil Punk will jump from box six in the final, and Coyle admits that the draw was not what he had hoped for.
"Box six is always a disadvantage. I just need something to happen at the start to get him into the race," he said.
"Magic Display is on his inside in the five, so I'm hoping that either she'll go quickly and bring him over with her or that she will miss the start and he can get going. The second option would probably be the best thing that could happen for us."
While Coyle had some injury concerns with Evil Punk last week after the fall, he confirmed that the son of Collision will be completely ready for the final.
"There aren't any issues with him from the semis.... he's 100% ready to go in my opinion,” the Riverstone trainer said.
Coyle said he would keep Evil Punk to his regular routine in preparation for the final.
"He's a dog that doesn't like a lot of work during the week. If we work him too much he tends to miss the start, so it will be just a light week for him at home," he said.
"I like to put him on a running speed on the walking machine for a few short spurts at a time but that basically does him."
A win in the Golden Easter Egg final would mean a lot to Coyle who has maintained a small kennel throughout his training career.
"I've been training for a long time and really only have one or two dogs in work most of the time and I just try to do the very best that I possibly can with them," he said.
"Saying it's a thrill to get through to the final is putting it mildly. It's just phenomenal what the dog has done and where he has taken me.
"I think a win would vindicate the dog more so than myself as a trainer.
"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself but you'll definitely hear me celebrating if he wins.”
While most trainer's would be nervous heading in to the biggest race in New South Wales, Coyle is surprisingly calm.
"I'm really looking forward to the night. I'm not nervous so much as I am excited," he said.
"I've been through the Derby's this year, so I'm really just keeping my fingers crossed and what will be, will be.
"He's in there and he's a good a chance as any of the other dogs in the race. We'll just have to see if the hard work he has done will pay off.
"The funniest thing about this whole experience is that I've suddenly discovered a lot of relatives I didn't even know I had since Saturday!"
