Damian Could Return For “Unfinished” WA Business

STAR South Australian sprinter Victa Damian returned home from WA on Monday with trainer Tony Rasmussen preparing to map out his immediate career.

Rasmussen said he was overjoyed with the WA experience of running Victa Damian in the inaugural The Sandgroper (520m) at Cannington on Friday night despite the son of Fernando Bale having no luck when fifth behind Crumble Monelli.

“He took a wrong option early and got checked, but who could complain about being in such a race and being part of such a great promotion,” said Tony.

Victa Damian has now raced just 16 times for 10 wins and earned $191,000.

He is the winner of the G1 National Derby in a race record of 29.47, has won The Spark on his home track at Angle Park, and was a flashing third in the G1 Australian Cup.

All that in just 16 starts.

“We will take him home and give him a couple of trials and then put him in an easy race to get a bit of confidence back,” said Tony.

VICTA DAMIAN Exhibition Trial for trainer Lisa Rasmussen. pic.twitter.com/QdHv3bpbhu

— Greyhounds WA (@greyhounds_wa) March 11, 2023

“Not that he needs a confidence booster, but an easy race will do him the world of good.”

Rasmussen has not decided on which path to take Victa Damian.

“But we might even consider going back to Perth with the Derby as his target,” he said.

The Group 2 WA Derby, with a winner's purse of $40,000, will be run in heats on May 13 with the final on May 20 at Cannington.

Also expected to be there is Crumble Monelli, winner of Friday night's The Sandgroper, and his brother Custard Monelli, recently third in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg.