Apache Tiger burst into calculations for major middle-distance races like The Richmond and the Ladbrokes Country Classic with a near record win over 622m at Casino on Thursday.
Owned and trained by Mick Landrigan, uncle of the dog's breeder Mark Moroney, Apache Tiger made an impressive 620m debut by winning easily in 35.39, just .19 outside the track record set by Moroney's She Is Fire on September 19.
She Is Fire has been retired after winning 24 of 42 starts and Apache Tiger, a younger half-brother to that brilliant front runner, was a lucky acquisition for Mick Landrigan.
A trainer for 50 years, Landrigan explained: "A few mates of mine wanted me to buy them a pup so I bought one of Sweet Fire All's litter to Wow, whelped in March, 2023.
"After I bought that pup there was still one puppy unsold so Mark Moroney suggested I buy that one as well, saying you might as well train two as one.
"That last remaining puppy was Apache Tiger but the youngster I had bought earlier, called All Out Fire, has won two races but is only ordinary.
"Apache Tiger will race at Casino over the next three weeks because the $25,000 to the winner 620m The Richmond is programmed there for February 27 and March 6.
"And the first four finishers in the March 6 final automatically qualify for the Country Classic semi-finals over 605m at Dubbo on March 15.
"The final of the Country Classic is worth $100,000 to the winner so it's a series to look forward to with a dog like Apache Tiger.''
When Apache Tiger led all the way last week at his first test beyond 520m, he ran home in 15.79, while She Is Fire got to the line in 15.62 in her track record performance.
Landrigan, 68, started training greyhounds as an 18-year-old and rates Lucky Fina, who won 22 of 48 starts in 2007 and 2008, as the best he has raced.
Also aiming for The Richmond is Gully Girl, who scored a remarkable win over 515m at Ladbrokes Gardens on Friday in a sizzling 29.34.
Trained by 79-year-old John Thomas, Gully Girl was sixth from the first turn to the back straight and despite not reaching the lead until just before the home bend, stopped the clock at just .38 outside track record figures.
In her previous campaign Gully Girl won over 600m at The Gardens and 603m at Gosford in fast times and Thomas believes she is a better greyhound now.
"I plan to book a trial at Casino for her and then nominate for the heats of The Richmond over 620m there on February 27,'' Thomas said.
"Gully Girl is very hard to run down when she reaches the lead and a track like Casino will suit her perfectly.
"I've always known she was good but after winning middle distance races during her previous campaign she developed a blood disorder and had to be spelled.
"While she came from well back early to win over 515m at The Gardens on Friday she is capable of being the pacemaker in her races, especially over middle distances where there is not so much early speed involved.
"Gully Girl is a litter sister to my son Darryl Thomas' greyhound Sassy Supreme, who has run 29.57 for 520m at Wentworth Park, but in their early days my bitch was a length or a length-and-a-half quicker.
"Official run home time for Gully Girl last Friday was 11.98 and while if you break 12 at The Gardens you are going great, Gully Girl could run home in 11.80 if she trialled on her own.''
