Apollo A Future Greyhound Racing Rockstar

THE Shaun Evans-trained Rockstar Apollo made a statement when becoming the first dog to book his place in Friday's  $25,000-the-winner Zoom Top Maiden Final (440m) at Goulburn.

The 18-month-old son of the Barcia Bale is out of Evans and Chris Nutt's former classy My Bro Fabio bitch Rockstar Stratus, a multiple city winner in NSW and Victoria.

Making his racetrack debut, Rockstar Apollo led throughout to win the first of four qualifying heats of the rich maiden series, running a sharp 24.59 for the 440m Goulburn trip.

"He's got a long way to go but I'm pretty sure he's the dog we've been looking for," Evans said. "He just looks like a good dog and he always has, even as a pup he stood out.

"The last time he trialled at Goulburn he went 24.90 but that was almost two weeks ago and I've never been one to have them fully fit for trials.

"He's just kept improving.

"I'd think he's probably likely to improve again next week too."

The quickest time recorded in the four heats was that of the John and Minnie Finn-trained Zipping Orlando which recorded 24.56.

The son Zipping Garth and El Grand Senor bitch Zipping Dharma took a rails run turning when the leader We Got Square rolled away from the inside and once he sighted the lure exploded clear of his opponents to win by 6-3/4 lengths.

The two other heat winners were the Jorja-louise Howard-trained Fast Reason in 24.68 and Ruth Matic's Len Me Dad in 24.78.

The four other finalists were the second placegetters in the four heats – Zipping Mercedes (John Finn), Punter's Bandit (Jodie Lord), We Got Square (Jodie Lord) and Canya Smoke Them (Jodie Lord).