Integrity Mate Wins “Special” Thunderbolt

THE very last stride victory by Integrity Mate in Sunday night's inaugural running of The Thunderbolt (350m) at Grafton, was a special night for fathers, one trackside, the other watching from above.

Integrity Mate grabbed tearaway leader Orson Laurie right on the line to win by a half head and collect the $75,000 winner's cheque for Allan Hilzinger and his dad Keith, and trainer Robbie Andrews.

He ran 19.77 with Diamond Jill a length away in third and Typhoon Sammy in fourth.

For Keith Hilzinger, 73, it is the highlight of a lifetime involvement in greyhound racing but more behind the scenes and only in the past few years as an owner.

But for Robbie Andrews the victory was all about his late father John who died in 2016.

Robert Andrews and Integrity Mate have won the Worlds Richest Short course race – The Thunderbolt at Grafton tonight.
Integrity Mate left it to the last stride to claim the $75,000 prize. pic.twitter.com/coy47j9PgW

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 19, 2022

“Dad was my biggest supporter,” said Robbie. “He was with me every step of the way and talked me into moving to the Northern Rivers all those years ago.

“When we buried dad, my mum Jan put $50 into one of his pockets just so he would have something to bet with when he arrived ‘upstairs'.

“I reckon he was on Integrity Mate tonight for sure.”

For Allan Hilzinger it was the culmination of a huge week in greyhound racing.

He was announced as the new GBOTA CEO, a role he takes up on Tuesday.

“Just as well it is not Monday,” joked Allan. “I'd probably have to call in sick.”

The victory was emotional for all the dog's connections.

“When the presentation was being held, I looked over at both my dad Keith and at Robbie and the tears were flowing from both of them,” said Allan.

“But, that is what greyhound racing is all about.

“Both dad and Robbie are softies at heart.

“After the race, all Robbie could say to me was ‘Al, we did it. Is it real'.”

Andrews said he had no idea his dog had managed to grab Orson Laurie on the line to win The Thunderbolt.

“From over behind the boxes, it was impossible to see,” he said. “But what a performance to give Orson Laurie, the joint track record holder five lengths start coming to the home turn and still get up to win.

“I didn't think he'd won, but when the crowd went up, that's when I knew.”

Integrity Mate (Keybow-Let's Win Meisha) has been in spectacular form breaking the Casino 411m track record, winning the Beef Week Cup and then running a Grafton track record on his way to The Thunderbolt win.

Andrews now plans to give him his Group 1 chance in the upcoming Vic Peters at Wentworth Park.

‘What the dog's done … well he deserves a chance at a race like the Vic Peters,” said Robbie. “At least we will take him there for a trial.”

Andrews, shy all week about media attention putting “the mock” on his dog's chances, was the centre of media attention after the win.

“I've done more interviews than Nature Strip,” said Robbie. “And, I didn't have to go to England.”