Anthony Azzopardi opened the TAB Australian Cup Carnival in style on Wednesday afternoon when producing the two fastest heat winners in the Group 3 Vic Bred Maiden series (525m).

Five heats of the $25,000 to-the-winner feature, the final of which will be one of the highlights on Australian Cup night (Saturday, February 26), were held, with Azzopardi’s royally bred debutant Deadly Class the only sub-30sec winner.

A son of Barcia Bale and multiple Group finalist Elevated, which doesn’t turn two until June, Deadly Class started even-money favourite from Box 4 and led all-the-way, defeating the unlucky second elect Rapaki Rocks ($3.10) by 7.75 lengths in a Best Of Day 29.88sec.

Deadly Class was the second leg of Azzopardi’s heat double, following the win of another blueblood in Hometown Hero in the opening heat.

“I was pretty pumped to get out of bed on Wednesday morning; I couldn’t wait to put them both around.”

A son of Aston Dee Bee and grand producer Nicki Fields, the mother of G1 winners Poke The Bear, Hooked On Scotch and Out Of Range, Hometown Hero was having his first run for Azzopardi but third start overall, having been placed at Ballarat and Sandown Park late in 2021.

Drawn in Box 1, Hometown Hero started $1.70 favourite and took advantage of the rails alley to lead throughout in 30.03sec.

“I was pretty pumped to get out of bed on Wednesday morning; I couldn’t wait to put them both around,” said Azzopardi.

“They’ve both been going so good. It’s been eight weeks in the making, so it was great to see them both go so well.

WATCH: DEADLY CLASS (4) opened his career in style on Wednesday afternoon, setting the pace in the heats of the G3 Vic Bred Maiden series, clocking 29.88sec.

“The fawn dog (Hometown Hero) has actually been two-tenths quicker all the times I’ve trialled them, but the black dog (Deadly Class) is stronger.

“The heat was Deadly Class’s first 500m, to be honest.”

Azzopardi said both wins were extra special because of his relationship with the connections, with good friend Darren Puleio and father Michael racing and breeding Hometown Hero, while Deadly Class is the first greyhound the Rowsley mentor has prepared for Harry Manolitsis.

“Deadly Class’ win was very rewarding because Harry trusted me to rear the litter, so I’ve had him since he was three months old, and I also pre-trained him,” Azzopardi explained.

Trainer Anthony Azzopardi and owner/breeder Darren Puleio were delighted with Hometown Hero’s impressive G3 Vic Bred Maiden heat victory at The Meadows on Wednesday.

“Darren (Puleio) and I are very close friends. We talk every day and it’s not just about greyhounds. He’s such a good person.”

Regal bloodlines were prominent in the heats, with Aston Lira, a Fernando Bale x Aston Miley half-brother to superstar Aston Rupee, trained by Vicki Wisener, winning on debut in 30.25sec.

Brendan Pursell’s Who Told Shorty, a Raw Ability x Who Told Lindylu half-relation to ill-fated champion Simon Told Helen, also won first-up in 30.31sec.

The remaining heat winner was Red Reactor, a son of Fernando Bale and Subconscious, trained by Daniel Pell, which ran 30.08sec.

The news got even better for Azzopardi when Deadly Class and Hometown Hero both drew Box 1 for their respective semi-finals next Wednesday.

Azzopardi’s immediate feature race focus is on Saturday night’s G1 TAB Rookie Rebel, where he’s optimistic $7 chance McCooly’s Lad (Box 2), also raced by Darren and Michael Puleio, can crown his return from a career-threatening injury with the unlikeliest of G1 victories.

“I’m just so proud of the dog. To be in a race like this after what he’s been through is a marvellous achievement,” he said.

“He’s got a good box and I can’t have him any better. He’s feeling a million dollars.

“He’s definitely a chance. I’d just love to see him jump in front and see what he can do.”

Comeback galloper McCooly’s Lad is chasing an emotional victory in Saturday’s G1 Rookie Rebel.