$3 Fav Shock Scratching From Southern Stars

SALAD Dodger, the $3 favourite for the rich Southern Stars Final at Goulburn on Friday, has been scratched.

Trainer Anthony Azzopardi revealed to the Greyhound Recorder on Tuesday that the dog had been battling injury since his 25.63 best of the day heat win at Temora last week.

"After the race he pulled up a bit lame in the front end," Azzopardi said.

"He got a bit of a tear in the chest and did the ligament in his shoulder.

FIELDS AND FORM GOULBURN FRIDAY

"I tried to get him right but we went to the vet today and he's declared him unfit.

"I've got a vet certificate."

Salad Dodger's withdrawal makes way for the kennelmate Big Daddy, an exciting lightly raced son of Fernando Bale.

The Finns have two into the @Ladbrokescomau Southern Stars after G1 Vic Peters winner, Zipping Remus, burned around the @GoulburnGRC circuit to win heat 2 in 24.27 ???

Full Results: https://t.co/BRCUovbeUv#thedogs #southernstars #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/tbtTJGQZWP

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 21, 2023

Big Daddy is listed as an $8 chance with race sponsor Ladbrokes for the $50,000-to-the-winner feature.

The November 2020 whelp chased home Zipping Remus in last Friday's Goulburn heat run in the near record time of 24.26 seconds.

"He's definitely a chance and I'm very lucky to have another one in the race," Azzopardi said. "He's a very fast dog.

"He's a dog that always give you 110 (per cent), he's a great chaser.

"I'm just hoping he begins again. He began last week but he can be a bit hit or miss.

"The first 50 metres will decide his chances."

Azzopardi said he believes Salad Dodger will be out of action for a few weeks due to his injury.

"He's been a gem of a dog to me and I'm spewing because he finally drew a box," he said.

"What do you do, that's racing."