True Detective is the 2019-20 Victorian Stayer of the Year.
Trained by Jeff Britton at Anakie, True Detective ‘laid down the law’ – predominantly with thrilling frontrunning prowess – to win 22 races from 38 starts during the racing season (July 1 – June 30).
He contested eight group race finals, winning four: G1 Hume Cup (600m) – The Meadows; G2 Summer Distance Plate (720m) – Wentworth Park; Listed Gold Cup (710m) – Albion Park; Listed Sky Racing Stayers (715m) – Sandown.
True Detective was also runner-up in both the G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (725m) at The Meadows and G1 Sandown Cup (715m), fourth in the G1 Zoom Top (725m) at The Meadows and third in the G3 Speed Star (595m) at Sandown.
Owned by the Kramerica syndicate, managed by greyhound media identity George Farrugia, True Detective (Aug ’17 Black Magic Opal x Little Grey) established a stunning record from Box 1 during the racing year. He won eight races from 11 starts in the ‘red’ alley.
“He’s been a big thrill this dog, we think he deserves it,” an elated Farrugia said. “He’s made us proud time and time again and to collect this award is awesome. He’s been challenged in races and been able to take on all newcomers, we’re just so really proud of him.”
Farrugia added that the patience Britton and his partner Angela Langton showed in building him up over 700 metres was fantastic.
“I think there were some people that were saying, ‘I don’t think this dog will ever get 700’. His first couple of runs over it he was getting really tired but that’s just a testament to Jeff and Angela, their training regime. Jeff always had confidence that he would run it out and it’s been an unbelievable ride since.”
