Sand Burner broke the Richmond record last August, when trained by Jason Mackay, running a scintillating 30.17, but after winning his next start at the track over 618m he failed to win at his next six appearances.
That’s when prominent owner Allen Williams, who enjoys a highly successful partnership with Londonderry trainer Anthony Azzopardi, stepped in.
Williams has had success in the past with the progeny of American sire Flying Penske and he decided to take a chance with Sand Burner, which will make his first appearance for his new connections in Monday’s Number One Club Stake – race six at 5.59pm.
It will be Sand Burner’s first start since contesting a heat of the Group One Brisbane Cup at Albion Park on December 3.
While Sand Burner holds Richmond’s sprint record, he boasts two handy 720m wins at Wentworth Park last February and Azzopardi is aiming to slowly build the kennel newcomer back up to staying distances.
With that in mind, Azzopardi isn’t expecting anything spectacular from Sand Burner on Monday.
“He’s going okay – he’s not at his best at the moment but he’s going okay,” Azzopardi said.
“We got him about six or eight weeks ago and we’re just going to take our time with him. We will be looking for a staying career with him but we’re just going to take it run by run and week by week.
“The motor is definitely there but we’re hoping his mind is there with it and he’s had a few problems as well, so it’s a bit of a challenge but we know he’s got the ability.
“We’ll start him off at Richmond, where he likes it, and just see how he goes. I’m not expecting anything great from him on Monday – no records or anything like that – we’ll just see where he’s at and hopefully look at bigger and better things down the track.”
Sand Burner’s return will kick-start a huge week for Anthony Azzopardi and Allen Williams with their now-retired Group One winning stayer Lilley Criminal a finalist in the Betfair NSW Greyhound of the Year, the winner of which will be announced at Friday night’s gala awards ceremony to be held at the Hilton Sydney.