Aston Costello Set For Birthday Cup Celebration

ASTON Costello has established himself as an unlikely leading contender for the Group 2 Birthday Cup Final (400m) at Mandurah on Friday night after clocking the equal fastest qualifying time during the heat stage.

The well-travelled former Victorian has been impressive since arriving in WA and joining the kennels of Kody Charles last month.

A gritty performance to run second in the Anniversary Cup in late December was followed by a come-from-behind win at his first look over the 400m trip a week later.  

FIELDS AND FORM MANDURAH FRIDAY NIGHT

Aston Costello went back-to-back when he overpowered star short-courser Curious Georgia to win his Birthday Cup heat by a length in 22.18 last weekend.

Aston Costello has mainly competed over 500m and longer for the majority of his career so the greyhound's success over the shorter journey has been a pleasing surprise for Charles.    

"We didn't have any expectations for him because I know the 400 isn't his go but it was worth dropping him back in distance to have a crack at a Group 2," Charles said.

"He's given us two big runs over the trip now. 

"I thought he put in a huge effort to work his way through the field in the race a couple of weeks back and then to run down Curious Georgia in the heat was massive."

Aston Costello has drawn box three for the decider where he'll take on a quality line-up which includes fellow fastest qualifier Sunset Mirage, dual group 1 winner Uncle Tommy and Anniversary Cup winner Wise Barra.

The in-form Sunset Nightjar is drawn to play a big role from box one and Curious Georgia will likely be out in front early once again.

"It's really nice race, they're all good dogs," Charles said.

"I think we've drawn okay but we know he's not going to be out in front so he just needs a little bit of luck.

"The one dog can use a bit of the track so it might be best if we miss it a bit and then we can hopefully navigate down to the fence.

"If he gets a clean run he'll be hitting the line as hard as anything in the race, if not harder.

"Overall I'm happy with him, he's flying and I wouldn't swap him for anything else in the race."

Charles also has Saige Tenielle competing in the heats of the Summer Chase (601m) at Cannington on Saturday.

Saige Tenielle has been a grand performer since her debut in late 2022, with that famous victory in the 2023 National Sprint Champion her most notable achievement.

Charles indicated that she only has a handful of starts remaining before she retires and enters the breeding barn.

"She's drawn box one on Saturday so there's no excuses but she's had 70 odd starts now and she's coming to the end of her career,” he said.

"I've been able to meet new people on the eastern states, which has led to a few new dogs and stuff like that. 

"She's taken me to all the tracks that you dream of racing at as a kid so I couldn't ask for much more from her."