Azzopardi Looks Ahead To Country Classic

STILL "mystified" by his exclusion from the recent Group 1 Rookie Rebel, trainer Anthony Azzopardi has set his sights on the rich Country Classic (605m) with emerging middle distance star All Spritzed Up.

The premier Victorian conditioner had intended to race the son of Ritza Lenny at Dubbo this Saturday night before returning for the heats of the $125,000-to-the-winner Dubbo series on March 4.

However, those plans were foiled due to a lack of nominations, but Azzopardi still plans to use the opportunity to trial his reigning Group 3 Great Chase hero.

"He's absolutely airborne – each time I trial him he's just getting better and better," Azzopardi beamed.

? WINNERS ARE GRINNERS ?

ALL SPRITZED UP is the 2022 Group 3 #GreatChase champion at @MelbourneGreys.#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/gx6Cbo7nyH

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) October 19, 2022

"It's disappointing there's no race for him on Saturday at Dubbo but I'll still plan to trial him and give him a look before returning for the heats."

Winner at nine of his 16 starts, All Spritzed Up landed the Group 3 Great Chase at The Meadows last October before embarking on what has been a successful middle distance campaign.

A fortnight ago he set The Meadows alight with a commanding 34.44 victory, a performance Azzopardi believed would be enough to secure a start in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) which was taken out by Dookie Devil at the weekend.

"I wasn't happy at all," said Azzopardi.

"The main people I felt for were his owners, they were really upset, how many chances like this come around?

"He ticked all the boxes and I put him on show before the nominations closed and he came out and won the way he did and I think went near the second section record.

"To not even make the top 12 for consideration … I just couldn't believe it. Still can't.”

Congratulations to Anthony Azzopardi and the Scott James Synd with All Spritzed Up winning the Group 3 The Great Chase Final today at The Meadows Dogs.@MelbourneGreys @GRV_News @DimityMaher pic.twitter.com/c3PrI2WLyW

— Jason Mckeown (@Austscapes) October 19, 2022

Azzopardi's return home to NSW this weekend will see the prolific group 1 winning trainer put recent kennel newcomer Adhana Rico through his paces at Richmond on Friday night.

"I reckon he's about to come into his own," Azzopardi said.

"Some of his recent runs have been really good and while he hasn't trialled at Richmond he does go good first up at tracks.

"Friday night is a look before I bring him back for the heats of the Richmond Derby the following week."

Azzopardi will be searching for his second Richmond Derby title in the coming weeks after securing the 2017 edition with former powerhouse chaser Nangar Flame.