An early alarm call and long journey for last week’s Group 3 Canberra Cup (530m) heats certainly didn’t affect My Boy Fabio – and he looks good primed to repeat his record-breaking performance in this Sunday’s final.
The Victorian took advantage of his favoured draw by the rail to motor round in a track record 29.89 for the distance during the semi-finals.
That performance ensured My Boy Fabio’s position as favourite to claim the $25,000 top prize for trainer Brooke Ennis – and made the long journey worthwhile.
“He pulled up fantastically well,” Ennis said. “We got back at 3.30am on Sunday morning and you wouldn’t have known he had travelled.
“It was an eight-hour drive (to Canberra) but when we got there he knew what he had to do.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Last week’s storming win was a fifth win in six outings for the flying performer, taking his record to 16 triumphs from 35 starts.
He has drawn box two in the final and should be hard to stop according to his trainer.
“He has always shown he has that ability,” Ennis said. “He’s run some amazing times down here in Melbourne.
“We didn’t have time to trial him there but we thought having the red would be a massive advantage.
“I think the box one dog in the final (Cawbourne Power) doesn’t have loads of early pace, so if he can get a clear run he has a chance.”
"We'll set off at 6.30am again on Sunday morning (for the race) and see if he can do it."
Ennis said she would aim the greyhound for two forthcoming Group 1 races, next month’s Topgun (625m) at The Meadows and November’s Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown Park
Sunday’s final is a reasonably open race, with some dangerous NSW hopefuls in contention.
This year's National Futurity winner Rue De Kahn and Father Skeeta are both threats, while Cawbourne Whip (pictured, white rug) won her heat well and has hit form.
Ennis is only 26-years-old but is fast making a name for herself on the racing scene.
She trains alongside Jamie from their base at Lara, close to Geelong.
"It's good that we both do something we love," she said.
"I think I just like that you are your own boss and you don’t have to answer to anyone.
"The animals are like my kids as well. I treat them like they're my babies.
"When you have the dogs from a young age and you watch them turn into racers, it's exciting.”
Canberra racing is under way at 5.52pm.
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