From the Greyhound Adoption Program waiting list to 2016  Waterloo Cup and now the 2017 Benalla Cup, Better Than This (pictured with his opponent Ido Voodo, photo credits Julie Ward) has continued his domination of the coursing circuit on Sunday at Benalla for group one winning trainer Ashlee Terry.

Ashlee kicked off a more than successful weekend of racing with her kennel star Maja Mahi Mahi claiming victory in the $145,000 Sapphire Crown at Sandown – the duo’s first group one win. Better Than This followed up two days later on the coursing circuit.

A year ago Better Than This was on the GAP waiting list because he didn’t like to compete on circle tracks, but found a great love for coursing. In 2016 Better Than This competed in six coursing events at Lang Lang and only missed out on a win once.

“We decided to target the Benalla Cup as Sam (Better Than This) wont race on the circle track. We trialled him up their the week prior twice and the look definitely helped him. We were told that he went up great so we thought why not,” Terry said.

“He performed great especially considering he’s been off since last coursing season and he’s still running as quick as ever. Garry Thomas the bookmaker on course clocks the times and he told us that he run best of the day every course.”

A key to Sam’s ability to back up between courses is his capability to relax between events.

“He pulls up really well and sleeps in between courses so he really is ideal for coursing.”

Sam’s love affair with Lang Lang will continue with his next course set for the venue but in the back of Terry’s mind is a return to defend his title in the 2017 Waterloo Cup.

“Sam holds the track record at Lang Lang and it’s close to home which is a bonus. We will give the Waterloo another go, it’s held at Longwood this year which is a trolley lure not a drag so that maybe a challenge but we will give it a go.”