3 minute read
In the history of The Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park no South Australian greyhound has ever won the illustrious Group One race. After last Saturday Victa Damian is one step closer to fulfilling that dream as his massive reputation builds.
The son of Fernando Bale set the benchmark for every greyhound contesting The Golden Easter Egg when in Saturday's heat he set the clock on fire with the fastest heat time running 29.34 seconds for the 520 metre journey. The widening 12 length win was nothing more than an obliteration of his opposition.
The heat win time proving that he is a genuine superstar of the track. Lowering his personal best time which had stood at 29.44 when winning a heat of The Group One Derby at Wentworth Park in January. It was just one week later he won The Derby by 4 lengths in a blistering 29.47. His winning run considered to be more impressive than his father Fernando Bale who won the Group One Derby in his career also.
Victa Damian is still an extremely young dog. He has had a minimal 14 career start for 10 wins. His heat win at The Meadows in the Group One Australian Cup was nothing short of spectacular defeating easily Melbourne Cup winner Yahiro Bale. His third in the final a week later was nothing short of unlucky as he overcame early trouble and stormed home giving away both age and experience.
He announced himself last week here in Sydney as he dominated overcoming a horror draw from box 8 and giving nothing else a chance from box rise till the judge called a halt. The Easter Egg is an endurance test as it's three weeks of racing back to back to hold aloft the glorious trophy that every greyhound trainers wants to win.
South Australia has had the likes of Silver Saul,Golden Mike,Croatian Star And Awesome Mclaren just to name a few over the last few decades. The Rasmussen family have been very forthright and open about Victa Damian's ability. They have been optimistic that he has what it takes to be one of the very best chasers of all time.
The more we see of Victa Damian the more he continues to show improvement. It's noticable in the times he is running and the sense he is showing when forced in running to overcome adversity. It won't come as any surprise if he adds The Golden Easter Egg to his resume to sit along The Group One Derby he won in January this year. We wish him well.
