Jason Thompson has his sights on next month’s Group 1 Sandown Cup with record-breaking middle distance star Collinda Patty and lightly-raced litter sister Collinda Lady.
On Saturday night, the classy ‘Collinda’ siblings will continue their build-up to Australia’s most prestigious staying event when they match motors in a 600m showdown in Premier Racing at The Meadows.
Collinda Patty stamped herself as arguably the fastest middle distance greyhound in the land last August when breaking Sandown Park’s 595m record, previously held by superstar Dyna Double One, and winning the G3 Speed Star (600m) at The Meadows in consecutive starts.
The May ’19 daughter of Zambora Brockie and She’s A Collinda was then sidelined for four months but has demonstrated she’s back to her best by winning two of her past three starts, the most recent a flying 33.80sec success at Sandown last Thursday.
WATCH: Track record holder COLLINDA PATTY (5) returned to her brilliant best with a runaway last start 33.80sec victory over Sandown Park’s 595m course.
“She tore a monkey muscle and then virtually came on season straight away,” Jason Thompson explained.
“It took a few runs to get her back to where she was, but I couldn’t be happier with where she’s at now, with what we’ve got in mind for her.
“I’ll get her up to ‘700’ in the next couple of weeks to get her ready for the Sandown Cup. I think she’ll run the ‘700’ out really well.”
With eight wins from her 22 starts, Collinda Patty has been lightly-raced, considering her third birthday is approaching, but Collinda Lady has had even fewer starts, having won three of just seven.
“Collinda Lady has had two seasons,” Thompson said.
“She’s heading to ‘700’ as well and I definitely know she’ll run it. What she’s done over 500m has been a bonus.”
With a clear edge in performance and experience, Collinda Patty (Box 5) is a dominant $1.65 TAB favourite for Race 6 at 8.22pm, with Collinda Lady (Box 3) at $6.50, but Thompson says very little separates the siblings.
“Collinda Lady has only had seven starts but give her another dozen runs and she won’t be far away from where ‘Patty’ is,” he said.
“Collinda Patty has the advantage of far more race experience, and it’s a big advantage, but Collinda Lady is very talented, and I’ve got a big opinion of her.
“It’s not ideal they’re in the same race on Saturday, but they both need the racing with the Sandown Cup not far away.”
Thompson will be watching his two Sandown Cup aspirants duel from Wentworth Park in Sydney, where Equalizer and Decimate will both contend with tough alleys in the G1 Golden Easter Egg semi-finals.
Youngster Decimate (Box 4) is $9 with TAB in the second semi, while 2021 Brisbane Cup winner Equalizer (Box 6) is a $5 chance to continue his remarkable return from injury in the third qualifier.
Equalizer made it two wins from three starts since resuming with a fast 29.85sec heat victory last Saturday, while Decimate ran a close third in his run-off; both were on debut at Wentworth Park.
Click HERE for latest TAB market on Golden Easter Egg heats
“What Equalizer has been able to do is amazing,” said Thompson.
“I don’t think too many dogs could have over six months off, come back and win a FFA at The Meadows and then go straight into a Golden Easter Egg series.
“When he’s well, I’ve got so much confidence in the dog. I couldn’t be happier with him, and I think he’s in it up to his ears.
“He won’t be in the mix early but he’s such a smart dog that sometimes that can win him the race, like he showed in the Brisbane Cup.
“I was really happy with Decimate’s run last week. He’d never been to Wentworth Park, he’d never travelled away, and he had to sit in the kennels all night, until Race 10.”
