On Monday week Ray and Sharron Webster’s marvel Father Rick will turn four years of age, but don’t be thinking about retirement or even Masters’ events, Rick’s still more than capable of mixing it with the best.
And mix it he did on Thursday night giving his rivals no chance with a brilliant front-running display to take out the $25,000 Ladbrokes Middle Distance Champion Final at Dapto.
Father Rick posted yet another slick time, 34.12s - not quite as electric as his heat time last week, a 34.03s which was just half a length off the track record – but still way too fast for his rivals with 3¼ lengths back to Sandstorm Rico, with a further 1¼ lengths back to Energizer Miss in third.
Sharron Webster after Father Rick's win
“He has been a marvel and he’s an old boy,” said Sharron. “He’s four next month. We couldn’t ask for more of him. We’re so proud of him.
“I’m so happy. And I’m so happy for Ray. He puts in a big effort and I couldn’t be happier for Ray and I’m just so proud of our boy.”
It was a similar feeling from Ray Webster.
“We are feeling ecstatic. This is great. We haven’t had a group winner for quite a number of years and to have it with a dog like him, who is so beautiful, it’s so good,” Ray said.
“I get a sense of achievement when I see him go around and he gives me that achievement. He’s something special and he will have a home on the lounge at home for the rest of his life.”
Father Rick won the prestigious Fireball at Goulburn at just his 11th start and has enjoyed a stellar career since.
He has reached the final of the Group 1 Megastar at Dapto in 2022, the 2022 NSW National Sprint Final, the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals in 2022, was third in the Group 3 Goulburn Cup Final in 2022, was fourth in the Dapto Middle Distance Championship in 2022, and made the final of The Collerson, and the Group 3 Ambrosoli at Wentworth Park in 2023.
And now the Ladbrokes Middle Distance Championship winner.
