Rupee To Trial Ahead Of Paws Of Thunder Quest

NSW racing fans will get their first glimpse of superstar sprinter Aston Rupee at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.

The reigning Topgun winner will trial before the first race in preparation for the Group 1 Paws Of Thunder (520m) which begins at Wentworth Park on Saturday week.

Currently the $4 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for the $75,000-to-the-winner series, trainer Glenn Rounds says the Paws Of Thunder will launch what he hopes is the first of many trips to Sydney in 2022.

"All things being equal Sydney is a big part of our plans in 2022," Rounds said.

"The Paws Of Thunder is a great place to start but with the Golden Easter Egg and two Million Dollar Chases this year there are plenty of good races to target.

"His trial for Wednesday night is all locked in so I'll drive up Wednesday for him to have a look. He's a fantastic traveller so the trip won't worry him at all."

And he ends 2021 with a bang ?

Aston Rupee (1) sublime yet again at Sandown Park. pic.twitter.com/140Ecg2AbA

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) December 30, 2021

Victorious at 20 of his 35 career starts for $458,000 in prize money, Aston Rupee scored at Sandown Park last Thursday in a sublime 28.95, the 7 ½ length demolition just two lengths outside his remarkable 28.79 track record.

The rampaging performance confirming to Rounds that the regally bred son of Kc And All and Aston Miley is right on track for his first Sydney assignment.

"The 10 days between the trial on Wednesday and the heats the following week is ideal," Rounds said.

"I see no reason he won't like Wentworth Park but we'll get a better guide on Wednesday. You can see good interstate dogs go to The Meadows for the first time and trial 30.30 before running 29.80.

"The time on Wednesday isn't everything. More how he gets around and handles the track."

With a booming stud career on the horizon whenever Rounds and owner Ray Borda pull the trigger, racing fans will take solace in the fact that any plans to retire the record breaking superstar are very much in the distant future.

"We've got a fit and healthy greyhound so we'll enjoy his racing," Rounds said.

"There are some big races with some great prizemoney on offer and our plan is to target those races. Dogs like this don't come along every day so you need to enjoy them and we will.

"There's no deadline on his career at all."

After the Paws Of Thunder, races like the Group 1 Temlee and Group 1 Australian Cup at The Meadows loom large for Aston Rupee before a return to Sydney for the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg followed by the first of two Million Dollar Chases.