They are brothers, but the people’s greyhound, Feral Franky, and Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada will put their love aside when they battle for the Group 1 TAB Topgun title at The Meadows on Saturday night.
The litter brothers have been hand selected alongside six of Australia’s fastest greyhounds to compete in the $215,500 Topgun (525m), an achievement of which their NSW breeders, Barry Ward and Mark Walden, should be proud.
Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada have banked more than $1.5 million in prizemoney, with 41 wins from their collective 79 starts.
Despite Good Odds Harada looking a little more of the goods on paper, having snared last month’s $1 million first prize in the Million Dollar Chase, the phenomenon of Feral Franky has NSW trainer Jack Smith pinching himself.
“If you had told me 12 months ago that I would be on radio all the time talking about a dog I trained, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Smith said after the TAB Topgun box draw on 7mate’s Thrill of the Chase program.
“I have enjoyed every second of this. He (Feral Franky) has had 36 starts and has never put in a bad run, so I don’t feel any pressure when he goes around, despite all of the eyes on him.”
Feral Franky has proven on the track that he is not just a catchy name for punters and the world of social media.
In preparation for a Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup campaign, Smith put Feral Franky in a Free For All at Sandown Park last week against one of the sport’s hottest prospects, Hooked On Scotch.
The mouth-watering battle didn’t disappoint as the duo finished first and second, Feral Franky taking out honours in a scintillating 29.08sec — the fastest time recorded over the 515m at Sandown this year.
“Melbourne hasn’t seen the best of Feral Franky,” Smith said. “He is a once-in-a-lifetime dog.” Feral Franky has drawn box five in the $150,000 to-the-winner TAB Topgun.
“If he slips behind the leader and is within around three lengths in the early stages, he is in it for sure,” Smith said.
“Dogs don’t run home much faster than him.”
If Feral Franky wins, Feral Draught will be sold for $1 until the next race. If he finishes second, they will cost $2 or third ($3). So, join us in cheering for #TheFeral at The Meadows.
