Local legend Zambora Brockie (pictured with trainer Anthony and daughter Kayla) is set to stake his claim at his home track of Ballarat in the 2016 Ballarat Cup heats on Friday night.
Brockie has earned his legendary status after recording 28 wins from 46 starts, which included victories in the Group One Winter Cup at Albion Park, the Group Two Horsham and Warrnambool Cups and the Group One Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park.
A short 30 minute drive down the road to Ballarat is a nice change from the endless hours Anthony Azzopardi and his speedy greyhound travel while chasing group glory around Australia.
“He unfortunately didn’t fire up in the big one last week but I am glad he now gets to race on his home track,” Anthony Azzopardi explained.
“I just love Ballarat, I love the circumference of the track and the people there are always friendly.”
Zambora Brockie heads into the fourth heat of the Ballarat Cup as short priced favourite in the race despite a disappointing performance in Victoria’s richest greyhound race, the Melbourne Cup. But with an impressive 100% strike rate at Ballarat, which he has scored through two eye-catching victories over the 450 metre journey, it’s hard to pass up a greyhound who has earned over $430,000.
“Although he has had just the two starts at Ballarat, Zambora Brockie trials regularly on track so he is very familiar with it,” Anthony continued.
It isn’t just the the $77,000 to-the-winner Brockie and Azzopardi are chasing there is also the $50,000 country cup bonus, which is given to greyhounds who win three country cups in the same financial. Zambora Brockie and Anthony aren’t the only duo who will be vying for the $50,000 bonus, Aston Bolero and Jason Thompson also have their eyes firmly set on the additional $50,000.
Aston Bolero finds himself in the sixth heat jumping from box five.
As the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club prepare for an amazing night of greyhound racing, they cant help but support, along with the crowd their local legend into what could be another country cup victory.
“It is great for the club to have a greyhound like Zambora Brockie headline our eight heats. Zambora Brockie is a local dog who the local patrons can support, possible all the way to another country cup win and a nice bonus too,” Ballarat Greyhound Racing Clubs Trent Saitta stated.
