Emerging SA Superstar Secures Sandgroper Slot

WAGERING giant Ladbrokes has unveiled Victa Damian as its runner to contest the $500,000 The Sandgroper (520m) at Cannington on Friday, April 14.

One of the most exciting exports to emerge from South Australia in some time, Victa Damian boasts nine wins from his first 13 career starts, including a thumping Group 1 National Derby triumph before finishing a gallant third in Saturday night's Group 1 Australian Cup at The Meadows.

Leading South Australian trainer Tony Rasmussen said he was delighted to be joining forces with Ladbrokes for an assault on The Sandgroper as part of the inaugural Western Trilogy weekend of racing in April.

"Really excited – it's actually been tough to keep it quiet the past week or two," Rasmussen said.

"There's no question he's up to the class and with him still on the up anything is possible. I've said all along that he's capable of being the best dog in the country and he's still got it all ahead of him.

"The box draw (in the Australian Cup) the other night always meant it was going to be tough but he still ran a great race. He gives his all each and every start which is what you want in a top class dog."

With a Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg campaign set to precede Victa Damian's tilt at The Sandgroper, Rasmussen plans to trial the elite son of Fernando Bale at Cannington on Saturday, March 11.

"If we make the Easter Egg Final there's only a six day turnaround until The Sandgroper so we'll use next week to get him familiar with the travel and the track," Rasmussen said.

"He's a great traveller so the plane won't worry him but if it does I'd be happy to drive him over! I'm staying with (champion trainer) Linda Britton while over there which is another benefit.

"It's all really exciting and we're looking forward to getting over there and doing South Australia proud."

Ladbrokes Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement Karl deKroo is delighted to have secured a greyhound of Victa Damian's potential for the inaugural The Sandgroper.

"For Ladbrokes it was the missing piece of the puzzle on what promises to be a huge weekend of racing in WA," deKroo said.

"The South Aussie's taken the lead, he's raced away!"

Victa Damian triumphs in the Group 1 National Derby Final. @wentyparkgreys @Thedogs_com_au pic.twitter.com/a0GmDRoPkM

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 21, 2023

"Having already secured Bella Nipotina for The Quokka and Magnificent Storm for The Nullarbor, adding Victa Damian for The Sandgroper means we have three fantastic chances in each event.

"To align with arguably the most exciting young dog in the country is exciting for Ladbrokes and being a South Australian it's great to play a role in lifting the profile of greyhound racing in the state as well."

Victa Damian's announcement sees the star juvenile join She's A Pearl as certain starters in The Sandgroper, the champion NSW sprinter snapped up by TABtouch just last week.