Country Classic On The Radar For Cruise Mode

Dubbo here we come.

That was trainer Paul Abela's bold declaration after Cruise Mode ran a flying 33.83 for the Sandown Park 595 metres at her middle distance debut on Sunday.

Scoring by an ever-widening 12 lengths, Cruise Mode will line-up from box eight in Thursday night's finale at Sandown Park before heading to NSW to begin preparations for the $125,000-to-the-winner Country Classic (605m) at Dubbo.

"She's a very smart  bitch – reminds me a lot of Five Star but with more early pace," Abela said.

"The time yesterday surprised me mainly because of the conditions. She trialled box to box last Monday and went quicker sections than some of the dogs heading to the Rookie Rebel so I knew she's go well.

"She's pulled up great from the run so she'll go around Thursday night and then I'll get her up to Darryl (Thomas) to begin preparing for the Dubbo series.

“It's just to much of a disadvantage travelling week in, week out so getting up there and settled will give her the best chance.”

‘Rocket Mode' activated

CRUISE MODE appreciated the rise to middle-distance racing with this dazzling performance at @sandowndogs.

CRUISE MODE was four lengths off the 595-metre track record set by COLLINDA PATTY in August 2021.#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/eIBocXJ6FG

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) February 5, 2023

Winner at six of her 18 career starts, Cruise Mode was purchased by George Alvaro on Abela's advice last October when at the time the daughter of Fernando Bale had won just once from 10 career appearances.

"I told George to buy her and gave him a figure but he went $10k over to get her … but I'm glad he did!" Abela said.

"On paper we paid overs at the time but it's working out well now. I'd seen some of her runs and just thought she might get over a bit further. These kinds of dogs come around every now and then."

While the Country Classic – which culminates at Dubbo on March 18 is Cruise Mode's immediate feature target – races like the Group 1 Sandown Cup and ‘The 715' at The Gardens, are firmly on the radar also.

"She gives the impression she'll run out the 700m but you don't know until they do," Abela said.

"I spoke to George yesterday and we had to make a decision on whether to go to the Australian Cup or head to the Dubbo series. We agreed the Dubbo series was the way to go."

Abela finished fourth with Aston Ulysses in last year's inaugural Country Classic won by Zipping Kyrgios.

At Gosford on Saturday night, Aston Ulysses became one of a select few greyhounds to break the Gosford 29 second barrier when scoring in Masters grade in 28.98 for Michelle Sultana.

"He's been a grand old dog," Abela said.

"The long term goal with him is the big Masters race during the Million Dollar Chase carnival if he is still up and going."

With a number of talented youngsters coming through the ranks, Abela is eyeing a big 2023.

"I've got spare kennels for the first time I can remember," he added.

"The plan is to focus on quality over quantity and try and target some of the bigger races with a smaller team."

Abela also reports his 17-time winner Five Star is living the life of luxury in retirement.

"We tried to bring him back but he hurt his shoulder so we retired him," Abela said.

"He owed us nothing and is loving retirement. People don't know how good he was. If not for injuries he could have won a lot of big races."