Star Sidelined On Verge Of Phoenix Announcement

Just hours prior to announcing The People of Peter Sadler Transport had secured Throttle for the world's richest slot race – The Phoenix at The Meadows on December 17 – the West Australian star has been injured and will be spelled.

A slashing 29.03 solo effort at Sandown on Sunday was the tipping point – following six weeks of negotiations – for the Christine Robartson-trained fawn dog to represent the staff of the Victorian logistics firm.

"He's been in Melbourne to have him ready for the Melbourne Cup and the plan was for him to come home before being specifically prepared for The Phoenix," Dave Robartson said.

"He went just super on Sunday (at Sandown) but Kel (Greenough) rang early this morning to say he'd bruised the top of his ‘back muscle' and, in his opinion, would need four to six weeks off.

WA star Throttle trialled in sensational fashion after today's last race ?

Next stop, Saturday night!

Get your tickets | https://t.co/rY9z8Q7QJS pic.twitter.com/HpqwvPtydM

— Sandown Greyhounds (@sandowndogs) November 6, 2022

"Kel and (wife) Jacqui are just devastated … Throttle pulled up without any sign of the injury on Sunday night but the bruising came through 24 hours later.

"It's not the sort of thing you take risks with and he'll come home as soon as I can get him a flight with Jetpets."

In his Sandown trial, Throttle posted 10.42 seconds for the final section while, in her most recent win at the track, Wow She's Fast registered 29.11 in a match race against Big Opal Rocks on May 26 – with 10.46 being her closing effort.

News of the injury also hit Peter Sadler very hard.

"We have been speaking to Christine for about six weeks and Throttle is exactly the type of dog we wanted to represent the ‘family' we have working for us," Peter Sadler said.

"This business is all about young people making the best of an opportunity and Throttle is just about to turn two and would have been the youngest dog in The Phoenix I'd expect.

 

"We'd agreed to a deal and the fit was perfect … the Robartsons have been wonderful to deal with and I told Christine this is not the end, it's just the beginning of our relationship."

Such is the generosity of Peter Sadler, more than 100 of his staff will be trackside for The Phoenix at The Meadows and those in attendance will receive a share of prizemoney.

"Not only has Pete made this a special Christmas for his staff, he's also promised a significant portion of prizemoney to the Greyhound Adoption Program," The Meadows Chief Executive Scott Wuchatsch said.

"Its unfortunate Throttle has been injured – he was really the type of dog which Pete considered a perfect fit … bursting with talent but just needing a chance to prove himself!”

Peter Sadler's challenge is to find the ‘next' Throttle and that's by no means easy.