Chase the glory: The Shepparton Cup will be run and won this weekend.
Gippsland trainer Rachael Busuttil says she’s “still on cloud nine” after boom youngster Mr Audacious’ sensational record-breaking performance in Monday night’s Group Two CKH Painting Shepparton Cup (450m) heats.
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At just his fifth start, Mr Audacious, who doesn’t turn two until April, clocked a jaw-dropping 24.66.
His scintillating performance smashed defending Shepparton Cup champion Ferdinand Boy’s previous course record of 24.75, established in the 2021 Cup final.
“He’s just a miracle dog!” Rachael, who trains Mr Audacious with husband Mark at Kilmany, said.
“We knew he was good enough to win on Monday, but that time was not expected at all.
“Mark was in the catching pen after the race and thought he’d run 24.85 and said, ‘I’m happy with that’ and then somebody told him he’d broken the record!
“It’s amazing and he’s not even two yet. When we were driving home — it’s a long drive but it was worth it — Mark said, ‘What can he do if he gets a clear run?’ It’s scary!”
Need for speed: Mr Audacious trainers Rachael and Mark Busuttil.
With Mr Audacious’ heat heroics still sinking in, the Busutills’ focus has shifted to Saturday night’s Cup final, where they won’t be able to escape the hype surrounding their first runner in a Group event.
“The nerves are starting to kick in,” Rachael said.
“We’ve never dealt with this level of excitement before.
“We’re just trying to take it one day at a time and make sure everything stays the same.”
After drawing Box 6, as was the case in his remarkable heat performance, Mr Audacious is TAB’s $3 favourite, shading Ferdinand Boy (Box 3), which is striving to become only the second greyhound to win the Shepparton Cup twice, at $3.30.
It was destiny that Mr Audacious would find his way to the Busuttils, with two previous trainers incredibly returning him to owner Kevin Wainwright before he’d raced. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
“He’s a once in a lifetime dog,” Mark said glowingly.
“We’ve only ever had average dogs. Twelve months ago, we were going to get out of dogs altogether.
“Our plan was to take it easy with him, but when they’re running the times he is, what do you do?
“His mid-race speed is enormous, and he looks like he’s doing it so easily. I’d love to measure his stride.
“We’re over the moon and we’re just going to enjoy the ride.
“But it’s not going to change us at all. I’m taking two slow dogs to a Tier 3 meeting at Warragul this afternoon (Thursday) and I’ll be sitting with the same people and talking to the same people I always do!”
The $47,000 to-the-winner Shepparton Cup final is Race 8 on Saturday, to jump at 8.25pm.
