Last week’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner, Whiskey Riot is the greyhound of the moment – the dog on everyone’s lips! So, where to next?

“We’ll head to Ballarat for the Cup heats on Saturday… It’s his home track; he loves it there, and it also holds a special place in my heart,” his Rowsley-based trainer Anthony Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi, who won the 2016 Ballarat Cup with Zambora Brockie, said Whiskey Riot has endured a long campaign and had a “gut-buster” in the Melbourne Cup, but added “he’s pulled up like he hasn’t had a run”.

“If he bombs out in the Ballarat Cup heats, then he’ll have a light break over the Christmas/New Year period,” Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi says he’s still over the moon and trying to get back to reality from the unprecedented highs of Melbourne Cup night, where Whiskey Riot broke a G1 jinx following placings in the Topgun, Adelaide Cup and Maturity Classic.

“He’s never left the track without giving 100 per cent; his will to win is his best asset.”

“I’m still on cloud nine… The Melbourne Cup is a trophy every trainer would aspire to have on their mantelpiece. It’s not the money, it’s the prestige,” he said.

Obviously, it takes a special greyhound to win a race like the Melbourne Cup. So, what makes Whiskey Riot so special?

“It’s his personality, he’s got the most beautiful temperament of any greyhound you’d wish to see,” Azzopardi said.

“And as a race dog, it’s his early speed and ability to never give up. He’s never left the track without giving 100 per cent; his will to win is his best asset.”

Pawnote: Whiskey Riot has notched 17 wins from 35 starts, with stakes of $619,685.

WATCH: Whiskey Riot’s (3) thrilling triumph over Western Envoy (5) and Hooked On Scotch (8) in the Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup.

RIOT ACT WINS TAB MELBOURNE CUP

HIGH ANXIETY