Aston Bolero showed that experience counts for plenty when he took out tonight’s Group 2 Shepparton Cup (450m).
The black sprinter, who was the most experienced greyhound in the $67,000 final with 58 starts to his name (35 wins), secured the fourth Shepparton Cup for trainer Jason Thompson.
Thompson had the three favourites in the race, with Aston Bolero paying $4.30 when defeating the fast-finishing American Monster ($9.20) and Shima Song ($32.20) in a spectacular finish.
The Peacerdale trainer was surprised that Aston Bolero was third in the line of betting during the week behind his other finalists Invictus Rapid and Sleek Master.
“I’ve been saying all week that Aston Bolero is my best chance,” Thompson said. “He’s won 35 races including the Bendigo Cup, so he was the most proven dog in the race.”
Aston Bolero made amends for his last placing in the last Shepparton Cup, run in February, when he was the favourite.
Thompson will now set his superstar for the panel-selected Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows, provided he is selected, before aiming for the $50,000 triple country cups bonus in the Ballarat Cup in December.
“If all goes to plan I’ll give him another run in the country in two weeks time and then give him another two weeks off heading into the Topgun. He loves racing at The Meadows,” Thompson said.
Thompson won his fourth Shepparton Cup, while he also won the Group 3 Topcat Video Cup (725m) at The Meadows tonight.
Watch: Aston Bolero (6) wins the Shepparton Cup.
Aston Bolero (6) defeats American Monster (rail) and Shima Song (3).
Aston Bolero with trainer Jason Thompson and son Luke with the Shepparton Cup.
2016 Shepparton Cup Photo Gallery