Move OVER Fernando Bale and Spacecraft – Kalden Legenda’s current form makes him Australia’s greyhound to watch.
Ben Rawlings’ flying sprinter jumps from box two in Thursday’s Only At The Dogs (Veterans N/P) Stakes OVER 515m at Angle Park aiming for a remarkable ninth consecutive victory.
His Indian summer of form is even more impressive considering he missed a year earlier in his career through injury.
While Kalden Legenda may not quite be in the same class as the country’s best, he is definitely the current star of Rawlings’ kennel.
“He doesn’t run the fastest times but he gets the job done,” the trainer said.
“Once he finds the front they can't catch him.
“The last three months have been an enormous effort - he’s definitely earned his keep.”
Kalden Legenda was a solid if unspectacular performer for Rawlings before starting his terrific run of success in March.
Since then the son of El Galo x Abbadale Elle has been unbeatable OVER the 515m at Angle Park, claiming his latest victory last Thursday with a three-length triumph.
Click here to watch a replay of that win.
That took his record to 20 victories and 15 minor placings from 48 starts.
The greyhound, who turned four in December last year, has been dominating his Veterans grade in recent weeks.
Kalden Legenda’s feats are all the more impressive considering he was sidelined for exactly 12 months with a broken metatarsal, returning in July 2014 with a plate in his leg.
“I think he had to get used to having the plate,” Rawlings, whose father Neil owns Kalden Legenda, said. “It’s been a tough journey but he’s done so well.
“In a way there feels more pressure now to continue winning with him, but whatever happens now he can’t be faulted.
“My mates have been disappointed with how short he’s been paying, but everyone’s delighted with him.”
Kalden Legenda looks good to win race four here, although Rawlings believes Astronomic (box six) is a danger.
Another flying greyhound, Alderley Reform, jumps from box four in the meeting’s eighth race.
Terrance Cahalan’s greyhound has won seven of his last eight stretching back to early March.
Impressive kennelmate Ollington goes for a sixth win in 11 starts in race nine.
Rawlings has only been training full-time alongside family members for about five years from their base at Lewiston, close to Gawler.
The 24-year-old won the Bunyip Gold Cup in 2013 with Bogie Magic and has become a regular winner on the SA circuit.
“Last year was the first time we had 100 winners in a year,” Rawlings said. “We wanted to smash that this year and we’ve had 50 wins already.
“We’ve got some good greyhounds now (and) the next step is to get some in contention for those big Group races.”
For Angle Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
