Why Revolution Draws Comparisons To Koblenz

REVOLUTION'S win at Sandown Park last Sunday has trainer Harry Manolitsis drawing comparisons to 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Koblenz.

In fact, Manolitsis had began making the comparisons between the sons of Fernando Bale long before his charge's brilliant 29.20 victory.

"I said to a few friends early doors that he reminds me a lot of Koblenz," said Manolitsis.

"Good box dog, good mid race – a catch me if you can type of dog.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK THURSDAY

"The difference is that Koblenz has done the job and this dog has now got to do it, (but) I don't think he's any slower than Koblenz – I knew Koblenz well and saw what he trialled and this dog is every bit as quick in my opinion."

Revolution was outstanding yesterday and he'll return to the track again on Thursday ?

He joins the likes of Jarick Bale, Stout Monelli, Levitation, Rohan Bale, Paddy Wants Pats + many more on what promises to be a high-quality night of racing!

Fields | https://t.co/lzldeqyZ61 pic.twitter.com/ueGyuuce7B

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) July 25, 2022

Revolution burst onto the racing scene 12 months ago, winning six of his first seven starts – five of which were in best of night time – but a hock injury in October sidelined him for seven months. Around the same time, Manolitsis underwent surgery to address his own foot issue.

"The ability was there from day one, he was an unbelievable puppy, he broke in unbelievable, and his early wins were unbelievable. He's a nice puppy, a very nice dog,” he added.

"He hurt his hock and I also had surgery, so he had a bit of time off while I was recuperating too. He had three months off with his hock, but he also had an extra couple of months with my injury so he had a couple of months longer than he really needed.

"Now it's time to step him up and chase better races with him."

Thursday night will be Revolution's fifth start over 500m and his first in city class, but Manolitsis has little doubt that he has all of the traits needed to compete with the best dogs in country with the heats of the Nationals at Sandown Park the likely target.

"He's stepped up to 500 now so we'll leave him over 500 and just chase the nice races with him. He's the ideal dog for it – he's got a little bit of speed, he rails good and he chases good and he's out of a good damline. He's got it all in front of him, so we'll just see how copes with it all but I think he'll be fine.

"He's an inexperienced dog as in for 500m racing, but he's had two runs at Sandown now and he's only going to get better.

"I haven't really looked at the race but I'm keen to get him there and have another go around the circuit, under lights around Sandown. I'm looking forward to it actually, he's bouncing and has recovered well from Sunday's run. He's got me excited this dog."

Manolitsis only has two greyhounds in work and despite breeding just one litter a year, is no stranger to top level racing having bred group 1 winners Moriera and Get It Gizmo, Melbourne Cup finalist Flynn, and recent WA Oaks winner Refined.

Both Revolution and Madigan, which is also engaged at Sandown on Thursday night, are half brothers having both come from Manolitsis' brood bitch Elevation, which he also bred.

"I'm very lucky to have Elevated. She did a great job on the track and is doing just as good if not better in the breeding barn. She's a little ripper, a superbly bred bitch out of a champion damline. I'm very grateful, I couldn't wait to retire her (from the track) because I knew she'd be a great brood bitch.

"Thankfully, her two litters to race have been outstanding so I'm very grateful."

Revolution will jump from box four in race on Thursday night while Madigan will line up in race two.