Couch Surfer Has Warwick Riding Group 1 Wave

PREMIER WA racing man Justin Warwick will be stretching himself thin this weekend between family commitments and glamour racing in two different states.

Justin has made his mark in a lifetime of success originally in harness racing only to be tempted into thoroughbreds in recent times. Success in both has been remarkable.

Now, he has turned his hand at greyhound racing and he has reached Group 1 status with one of the first two litters he has bred.

On Friday, Justin will host his daughter Lucy's wedding in Perth.

Lucy is stable rider for Warwick Racing and the leading jockey in the state.

Box draw for the SKY Racing Galaxy Final taking place at Cannington this Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/KmFnRAx6kN

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) March 13, 2023

Justin will be up at 3am on Saturday to catch a flight to Melbourne to attend the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley where his Group 1 winning filly Sheeza Belter runs for a multi-million dollar purse.

But later on Saturday night, Justin will be pinned to the TV to watch his dog Couch Surfer (Fernando Bale-Deluxe Model) take on the Group 1 WA Galaxy (715m).

“Justin has a dream to win a Group 1 in each of the three racing codes,” said Linda Britton whose partner Chris Halse trains Couch Surfer.

Justin approached Linda a few years ago about getting into greyhound racing.

“He has 300 acres and runs a decent herd of cattle,” said Linda. “He decided to breed a couple of litters so any downer cows would not go to waste.

“We gave him West On Violet and Deluxe Model and he put them both to Fernando Bale.”

Deluxe Model is a sister to Perth Cup finalist Kiss Me Linda and their dam West On Bluebird is the fabulous producer and a litter sister to legend Miata.

Linda says Couch Surfer is young and taking on seasoned eastern state stayers, Group 1 performers.

“He probably needs a bit of a freshen up and he will get that after this final on Saturday night,” she said.

Brett Honey caught up with Luke Townsend after last night's Galaxy heat win by Couch Surfer. pic.twitter.com/cobAUA9rJQ

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) March 12, 2023

“It will be a good test for him. He only needs a bit of luck to be right in the race.”

Linda says Chris is already looking at eastern state glamour staying races like the Sandown Cup and Association Cup for Couch Surfer.

“He has just turned two years old and has always shown staying would be his forte,” she said.

Justin Warwick picked out Sheeza Belter as a yearling in WA, won a Magic Millions there and sent her to Peter and Paul Snowden to be trained in the eastern states.

She won the G1 JJ Atkins Plate in Queensland and goes into the All-Star Mile off a narrow third to Espiona in the Coolmore Classic at Randwick last Saturday.