RISING STAR CHASING PERFECT TEN IN CITY DEBUT

There are a number of common traits seen in foxes, mostly relating to their wisdom and strategic ability while hunting. Up-and-coming sprinter Johnny Black Fox, may not exhibit these traits himself – although he clearly has an intense desire to win – but trainer Wayne Vassallo does.

Vassallo has been very strategic with the placement of his rising star as he has moved through the grades at four different Victorian provincial tracks in a nine-race winning streak to begin his career. Tomorrow night, Jonny Black Fox makes his city debut as he takes to the Sandown Park 515m course aiming for ten-in-row to start his career, a feat not seen since Barcia Bale in mid-2013.

Winning in best of the night figures on four occasions and being less than one-tenth outside best of the night time in his other five runs, the son of Collision and Alotto Mojo has been developing into one of the stars to watch in greyhound racing. In his nine wins he has won by a total of 49.8 lengths, an average winning margin of 5.5 lengths.

Vassallo believes that his youngster’s record is reflective of his talent but is also down to being up against greyhounds that are on the same level as him at provincial tracks.

“We have taken our time to build him up to the city track,” a measured Vassallo said on Wednesday.

“We planned to put him in the shorter races at different tracks because that’s what he has was ready for and tomorrow night will be his first 500 (metre) race.”

“His wins at Horsham showed us that he has the potential to run out a strong race but the box draw (box six) hasn’t panned out very well for him.”

Of the greyhound’s temperament, Vassallo commented that he is extremely calm, a trait that most of the top quality greyhounds exhibit.

“He is very calm and is an easy dog to train,” the Devon Meadows trainer said, “when he jumps in the car to go the track, he’s usually asleep by the time we get the end of the driveway. I reckon he’s more like a pet in his mannerisms than a racedog.”

Jonny Black Fox has box six in race 11 on the card at Sandown Park tomorrow night.

Sandown Park will be hosting their Easter Kids Fun night including the running of the Group 2 Launching Pad.

Click to watch replays of Jonny Black Fox’s wins