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  • Sunday, 06 Feb, 2022,
  • by Gerard Guthrie

Soda Titan’s record Presidents run

Astute Tatura trainer Max “Jimmy” Auld has his sights set on the Group 2 Horsham Cup later this month after Soda Titan sensationally smashed former superstar Shima Shine’s 485m track record in Saturday night’s Presidents Cup final.

A beautifully bred son of Barcia Bale and G1 Sapphire Crown winner Maja Mahi Mahi, Soda Titan led all-the-way in the $15,000 to-the-winner Presidents Cup, clocking 26.66sec, breaking Shima Shine’s previous benchmark of 26.79sec, established in last year’s Cup heats.

“He didn’t just break it – he broke it by two lengths,” a delighted Auld said.

“It was probably a bit of a surprise because a very good dog held the record, but Soda Titan is an exceptionally fast dog when he gets on the bunny and that was the best I’ve seen him begin for quite a while.

“You shake your head at some of the times he runs in trials.”

“You shake your head at some of the times he runs in trials. He runs times only good dogs can run.

“He ran 27.03sec first look at Horsham and I’ve never had one go that quick first-up in all the years I’ve been going up there.

“He’s up there with anything I’ve had time-wise.

Hooksy was probably a faster race dog because he had sensational early speed – he’d break 5 seconds at Sandown – whereas Soda Titan only has fair early speed but on overall times Soda Titan would be quicker than Hooksy.”

WATCH: Soda Titan (2) broke Shima Shine’s Horsham 485m track record on Saturday night when winning the Presidents Cup final in 26.66sec.

The Presidents Cup final shaped as a ‘clash of the Titans’, with fastest heat winner Aston Titan (Box 6), trained by Anthony Azzopardi, the $2.10 favourite ahead of Soda Titan (Box 2) at $3.20.

Auld was on very good terms with himself when Soda Titan was best to begin, holding out Aston Titan, and he never looked like relinquishing the lead, scoring by 1.3 lengths, with Aston Titan (26.76sec) also breaking the previous record, while third-placed Aston Ulysses was only .01sec outside Shima Shine’s time.

Soda Titan has now won 14 of his 29 starts and eight of his last 11.

“To be truthful, I thought if he came out, he’d win,” said Auld.

“I gave him an enormous chance. I didn’t expect him to go that quick but I thought he would break ‘27’ easily enough.

“He came out equal with ‘the green’ (Aston Titan) and that was the key.

“I’d like to take him up to Bulli for the (G2) Gold Cup, but the heats are next Sunday, and I think I’d need to give him a trial.

“The Horsham Cup isn’t too far away (heats February 25), so we might just aim him at that. Horsham isn’t around the corner but it’s a lot closer than Bulli!

“He won’t go in the Australian Cup because he needs to draw one, two or three at The Meadows. He just hasn’t go the speed to get across and you’re not racing against any slouches in the Australian Cup!”

Soda Titan continued his sensational recent form when breaking Horsham’s 485m track record.

There was a thrilling finish to Saturday’s other feature event, with Aston Flame ($2.10) edging out Zigzag Cabang ($2.20) in the $5000 to-the-winner Cardross Memorial final (410m).

A litter sister to “the world’s fastest greyhound” Aston Rupee, Aston Flame, trained by Ian Garland, posted a flying 22.82sec to claim her 17th win from 27 starts and 10th from her last 11.

The Cardross Memorial is run annually in memory of six teenagers that tragically lost their lives when struck by a car in 2006, with Horsham regular Kerry Prowse the mother of two of the children that passed away.

It was fitting that Kerry Prowse trained the first winner at Saturday meeting, with Pullin’ Your Leg opening his career on a winning note.

Aston Flame pictured with trainer Ian Garland after winning the Cardross Memorial final at Horsham.

Gerard GuthrieGerard Guthrie

Gerard Guthrie

One of Australia’s leading greyhound racing journalists since 2000 with the Greyhound Recorder and now with Greyhound Racing Victoria. Part-owner 2013 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Sheikha. (The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of GRV)

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