Aqua Cheetah heads into this Saturday’s heats of the Group 1 National Derby as a leading contender after he shocked many by taking out last Friday’s Bathurst Gold Cup at only his fourth career start.
The John Ayoub-trained greyhound overcame a tardy start on Friday, producing a strong finish to take out the 520m feature event in 30.71 and defeating a number of more experienced greyhounds in the process.
Exiting from box two as the $2.90 favourite, Aqua Cheetah’s hopes looked sunk after he missed the kick and then got checked at the first turn.
He then produced a scorching run home to edge out runner-up Suzi Cargo by a neck, with Dandy Jack another neck behind in third.
The result was so close, Ayoub did not even know his greyhound had won.
“I had no idea he’d won that until I saw his number come up,” Ayoub said.
“I thought there was no chance he had got it. He is a strong greyhound but I don’t know where he found the strength to win that from.
“He’s only 22 months old and while he’s pretty good now, I think there’s some improving left in him yet.
“He is very strong and if he can come out of the boxes, he takes some stopping.”
The Bathurst Gold Cup win was also the most prestigious so far for Londonderry trainer Ayoub.
“I picked up the trophy, took it back to my car and I didn’t want to let it go,” Ayoub said.
“It definitely makes all the hard work worthwhile. It’s an awesome feeling.”
Friday’s victory made it three wins in four starts for Aqua Cheetah and he will now return to Wentworth Park this week for the heats of the National Derby as he continues his rise up the NSW sprinting ranks.
Aqua Cheetah has had two starts at Wentworth Park for one win in 30.19.
The heats of the National Derby on Saturday night coincide with the heats of the National Futurity which will also take place at Wentworth Park.
The fields for the National Derby and National Futurity heats are scheduled to be released on Tuesday.
