He may not be getting carried away but Anthony Azzopardi has unequivocal belief in his charge Shoulders ahead of this Saturday’s Group 1 Hudson Pacific Maturity Final (525m) at The Meadows.
A favourable box two draw, coupled with an impressive display in last Saturday’s semi-final, has the western Sydney trainer in confident mood ahead of the $100,000-to-the-winner race.
“100 per cent,” he said. “I’m 100 per cent he has the class to compete in this race.
“We were very happy with box two. The inside is where we wanted to be.
“He is a good, hard railer, so this should suit him.
“I’m not getting overly excited but you have got to be optimistic in a race like this.”
Shoulders (pictured, courtesy Paul Munt) is a relative novice and has done it tough in his fledgling career, with a broken shoulder almost ending his racing days before they had started in earnest.
“The owners did a terrific job just getting the dog back to a position where he could race,” Azzopardi said.
“It was touch and go for his career so this could be a fairytale for him.
“The owners deserve a win in a race like this for the work they’ve done.
“I’d love to win it for them.”
Shoulders has recorded five wins and four other placings in his 12 career outings, including a runners-up spot in last week’s semi-final.
That impressive 30.20 run behind heat winner Humphrey Bale earned him a final berth.
Azzopardi has been preparing the greyhound on a 50-acre property at Myrniong, the base of one of his owners, Terry Kingcott.
“It’s like a home from home,” Azzopardi said. “I’ve been down here eight weeks now.
“It was a big effort in the semi-finals (from Shoulders). He was unlucky not to win.
“We’ll give him a couple of free gallops this week and I think that will do him for preparation.”
The $145,000 race’s illustrious winner’s board includes greats like Temlee and Brett Lee.
“When you look at the past winners, it’s very exciting to be involved and have a chance to win it,” Azzopardi said.
“It would be something we could look back on and say, ‘we’ve done it’.
Shoulders is pricing at $4.40 with TAB Fixed Odds, with Hooksy (box seven) leading the way at $2.70.
The night also features the Group 2 AWM Distance Championship final.
Racing great Xylia Allen will become Australia’s highest prize-money earner if she can triumph.
