O'Brien Left Incensed After Needless Mortified Injury

AN incensed Chris O'Brien has called on the hierarchy of NSW greyhound racing to get its act together following the "debacle" that led to his star race bitch Mortified breaking down at Dapto on Monday morning.

Mortified, one of the early favourites for the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet and fast approaching Group 1 Sapphire Crown, will be out for at least three months after suffering a pin muscle injury in a slip at the south coast venue.

The hit-out was supposed to be in preparation for the abridged Ladies Bracelet at Wentworth Park this Friday night before embarking on the heats of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park next Thursday.

O'Brien was left with no choice but to trial the 15-time winner after last Saturday night's Wentworth Park meeting – featuring heats of the Ladies Bracelet and Bob Payne Sprint – was abandoned after the sprinklers were left on overnight rendering the track futile.

Mortified has taken out the final @ladbrokescomau National Futurity Heat at Wentworth Park Greyhounds tonight in 29.91 from Zipping Mercedes and Loves A Tipple.

Full results: https://t.co/b3eSaBlRUQ#thedogs #futurity @NSWGBOTA pic.twitter.com/X2bwwdjPnl

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 13, 2023

"I'm absolutely livid about the whole situation," O'Brien said.

"The people running the show need to understand that this #!$^ up has a domino effect and huge ramifications.

"You work so hard to get your dogs right – do all the hard yards – and as a result of what is just complete incompetence I lose a bitch like this for a good amount of time.

"She should have never been at Dapto on Monday morning. Why is it these things keep happening in NSW but not in Victoria? 

"I'm not a member of the GBOTA and I've got no plans to be. They need to have a good look at what they're doing and get their act together. Things like this are happening too often."

Adding to O'Brien's woes is that recent trips to Melbourne to familiarise his Australian Cup finalist with Sandown Park were now in vain.

"All those hours away from the family in the car end up being for absolutely nothing," O'Brien added.

"It's almost like it's no care and no responsibility. The track on Saturday was like pea soup when we got there. I had owners drive from Wollongong and Mudgee to be there and the best you get told is that the meeting's prize money will be split up.

"So what! It's just not good enough. I'm #$%##@^ off! Things need to change."

Winner at her three most recent appearances at Wentworth Park in 29.40, 29.37 and again in 29.40, Mortified was set for a salivating showdown with She's A Pearl in the rescheduled $15,000-to-the-winner Ladies Bracelet Appreciation on Friday night.