Integrity Mate To Take Aim At Maitland Cup

THUNDERBOLT sprinter Integrity Mate convinced his trainer Robbie Andrews at Casino on Wednesday afternoon that he is back to his “arrogant self”.

And, that arrogance could see the son of Keybow-Let's Win Meisha head to the Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup (450m) series in March.

The only problem is, Robbie and a few Northern Rivers locals, are planning a seven-day cruise that will come when the Cup final is being run.

Integrity Mate, the winner of 24 of his 44 starts and $139,000, ran 23.18 to win at Casino on Wednesday his fourth straight victory.

“He had lost his confidence late last year,” said Robbie.

“He had a slight injury on a back foot, but he wasn't riding bumps in races.

Integrity Mate made it four wins in a row yesterday, pouncing on the leaders just before the turn to win at Casino by 2 1/2 lengths!

His record now stands at 24 wins from 44 starts.

Full Results: https://t.co/h8TVTzNTYj#thedogs #greyhoundracing #casino pic.twitter.com/Wcrc4ehy8s

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) February 9, 2023

“Instead he was letting himself get pushed around.”

Robbie eased up on the dog and sent him over to Fiona Geary at Grafton for some box and bull ring work.

Late in January he thrashed Commands Respect by three lengths at Grafton and has kept winning since.

“Fiona was great and helped out with him, and Andrew and Sarah Monaghan have been great with advice as well,” said Robbie.

Integrity Mate holds the Casino track record and shared the record at Grafton. a record since broken by Cash Master.

He won the inaugural running of The Thunderbolt at Grafton midway through last year and that too will obviously be a target in 2023.

“The Maitland Cup would be a good race for him,” said Robbie.

“I'd be able to take him for the heats but we will be away when the final is run,” said Robbie.

“Fiona has volunteered to help out with him.”

The Maitland Cup heats will be run on March 9 and the final on March 17.

“It was so great to see his arrogance back at Casino,” said Robbie.

“He copped a bump, and it was a pretty good bump too, and kept going. It was the old him.”

Integrity Mate will have 10 days break before his next start which will be back at Grafton.

“He is only three in the middle of March so he has plenty of racing left in him,” said Robbie.