3 minute read

A box to box slip a week prior to her Australian Cup heat win proved that Mortified had what it took to be competitive in one of Australia's biggest group one events. As everyone track side quizzed as to who the greyhound was.

Experienced clockers knew that the box to box slip in way of time was super impressive. For trainer Chris O 'Brien it made the trip down to Melbourne all worth while in preparation for a tilt at The Group One Australian Cup. 

A flat run at Wentworth Park on February 11 was no surprise to O'Brien as he believed the talented bitch was short of a run and needed the hit out. Identifying her level of fitness he was proven right when she stepped out for her Australian Cup heat against a talented field and won from box 8 in an impressive 29.76 seconds for the 525 metre trip. 

In the lead up to the heat O'Brien went back to basics keeping Mortified's weekly routine simple. O'Brien is behind the scenes helped by an old boxing mentor in Gary Carroll who assists O'Brien in all his greyhound preparation. Carroll has had talented greyhounds out of the Tifi and Tifia line such as Bulkender and Cor Caroli. All of which had been trained by Chris O' Brien. 

Carroll stated that in the lead up to last weeks heat the team seen to it that Mortified spent plenty of time on the beach and in the salt water making sure she felt refreshed and stimulated as the trip to Melbourne lay ahead. Gary has stated earlier in the week not much will change to that routine in the lead up to the final. 

Mortified will start a $3.60 favourite leading into the $300,000 Group One final. Perhaps for many this talented bitch has appeared from nowhere. But a deeper look at the progression of her career clearly shows the time trainer O'Brien has allowed for her to build momentum and a impressive resume. 

Her win in the Million Dollar Chase regional final placed her on the map as she took on older and more experience greyhounds. Winning the final leading all the way in a flying 29.55. The type of time that is rarely run except for the elite of greyhound racing. Her career currently stands at 12 wins from just 20 starts. Providing a winning strike rate of 60%.

Her performance as favourite in the New South Wales futurity was perhaps a forget failure. As she went to the boxes it appeared she became spooked and at one point was reluctant to go across to the boxes. Something she has never done before. Sadly she missed the kick when the boxes rose and her Group One Futurity chances when up in flames. 

We must remember Mortified is age eligible for age restricted races at present.Seeing her reach the elite level in such a short period of time defines her ability. O'brien knows she must jump on Saturday night to feature, in general it's her box manners that makes her the exceptional race bitch she is.

Mortified has taken to The Meadows circuit like a duck to water, anyone will tell you when New South Wales greyhounds go to Melbourne it's hard to win. You are competing in their backyard and trying to overcome different starting boxes. Some greyhounds just never take to it.

Mortified is without doubt an outstanding chance of bringing home The Australian Cup for O'Brien, who has been meticulous with her preparation. We wish Mortified and O'Brien all the best ahead of Saturday night's final at The Meadows.