Sir Truculent's Deserved Group 1 Breakthrough

IN early June, Wally Harkins was riled when asked after Sir Truculent had finished second in the Speed Star at Sandown if the great stayer was “past his best” at three and a half.

“I was so riled, I gave the interviewer an earful and on air, bit his head off,” Wally said.

“I'm very sensitive about this dog. I love him so much.”

So, when Sir Truculent (Worm Burner-Establish) swept to victory in Thursday night's Group 1 Queensland Cup (7120m) at Albion Park that Speed Star interview was quickly on Wally's mind.

Sir Truculent, at the juicy odds of $8, sped to a 41.58 victory over Maggie Moo Moo with Mick's Recall in third.

Queensland training legend Tony Brett has had Sir Truculent, and Group 1 Brisbane Cup winner Equalizer, in his kennel for the past few weeks.

It brought the South Aussie champs record to 92 starts for 40 wins and 31 placings for $399,000.

“It was easily his best win,” said Wally. “I went to the local pub to watch the race and all night I could not sleep. It was a wonderful run.

“I told Tony Brett he seems a different dog when he gets to Queensland. Tony said he just settles in so well in his kennels. He's very, very relaxed.”

Back in February, Brett guided Sir Truculent to victory in the Group 3 Gold Cup (710m) at Albion Park worth $75,000-to-the-winner.

Brett will keep the dog in Queensland for the upcoming Grand Prix at Ipswich and he will then head back to Wally to prepare for the state series of the National Distance Championships.

“Fantastic Radley has been breaking all the records over 680 metres at Murray Bridge and he beat us in record time in June,” said Wally.

“But when Barney has a few more runs at Murray Bridge, he will be ready for Fantastic Radley.”

He described the dog's second in the Bold Trease in November last year as a highlight.

“I was just so excited to get into a Group 1 and when he ran second it made me so determined to win one of them,” he said.

“Now that he has, it is absolutely my biggest thrill in racing.”

Wally says he has already been approached for semen from the dog.

“He has had the DNA done but I didn't get the chance to get his semen tested,” said Wally. “But I will get it done when he comes home.”

He could not believe the dog's starting price of $8.

“I reckoned he and Maggie Moo Moo were the best chances because they had easily the best times in the final field,” he said.