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  • Monday, 16 Mar, 2020,
  • by Peter Quilty

Azzopardi eyes Shepparton Cup

‘King of the Australian Cup Carnival’, Anthony Azzopardi is buoyant about his chances in the Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup series (450m), which kicks off with six heats tonight from 8.04pm.

And who could blame Azzopardi for his optimism considering he has champion speedster Whiskey Riot in the rich provincial event.

Dual Group 1 winner Whiskey Riot (Box 4) will contest Heat 5 (Race 8, 9.25pm), and he’s undefeated from two starts on this circuit – including a 24.85sec PB, which is only a half-length off the 24.82sec track record held jointly by Slater and Cape Hawke.

Azzopardi says Whiskey Riot has “pulled up a treat” following his third to litter brother and kennelmate Fernando’s Riot in the G1 Australian Cup.

“I’ve kept him away from the racing scene since the Australian Cup… I didn’t want to risk him during this period of canine gastroenteritis,” Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi added that Whiskey Riot trialled 25.02sec last Thursday at Shepparton but needed the run as he’s only been working at home.

“He’s ready to go and I couldn’t be happier… Everything is ticking along nicely.”

Tonight’s six heat winners and two fastest second place getters will qualify for the Shepparton Cup final on Saturday night.

WATCH: Whiskey Riot (4) land an Australian Cup heat in a sizzling 29.47sec (Best).

Peter QuiltyPeter Quilty

Peter Quilty

Peter Quilty has more than three decades of experience as assistant editor of Victorian Greyhound Weekly. He was editor of GRV monthly magazine The Adviser (2001-09) and owner/publisher of Australian Greyhound Monthly. He also served on the selection panel for the inaugural GRV ‘Hall of Fame’ inductees and for several years was an adjudicator on the Victorian GOTY. He’s also published greyhound racing yearbooks and wrote the ‘Bold Trease’ video script.

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