Lara’s ‘Batman’ salutes
CHAMPION greyhound stayer Tornado Tears — dubbed ‘Batman’ — was back with a bang in Friday night’s Group 1 Bold Trease over 715 metres at Sandown Park.
Trained at Lara by Robert Britton, the ageless Tornado Tears proved you should never write off a champion by notching his fifth Group 1 victory on what was greyhound racing’s bumper TAB Melbourne Cup night.
This was the first time in his past 40 outings that he hadn’t started favourite after paying as much as $7 in the days leading up to the final.
It was also Britton’s fourth Bold Trease title in seven years, having saluted with Cheetah Zorro (2013), Fanta Bale (2017) and Barcali (2018).
“I’m really pleased because we were hoping he’d turn his form around. You see his ability and if he gets a crack at the leaders he’s always going to be very hard to beat,” Britton said.
“This has been a lucky race for me. It’s funny greyhound racing, there’s other races you simply just can’t (seem to) win. I think there’s no logical reason for it. But we’ve had a great run in the Bold Trease.”
Britton also trains Blazing
Cartier ($5.70), who finished fifth in the event.
It was Tornado Tears’ 31st win from 52 starts, and the $105,000 winner’s cheque lifted his earnings to $884,120, eighth of all time in Australia.
It was his 10th win from 11 starts over Sandown’s staying trip.
“The punters haven’t always been happy with him in the last few weeks but I think if they buttered up tonight the odds were pretty good,” Britton said. “I thought he was over the odds. All things being equal he’s probably the best dog in the race. I don’t say that bragging, I just think he is. But his last few runs weren’t that great.”
Britton said he is yet to decide where to race Tornado Tears next, but suggested the Group 1 Sale Cup on Boxing Day could be on the agenda.
I THOUGHT HE WAS OVER THE ODDS. ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL HE’S PROBABLY THE BEST DOG IN THE RACE. I DON’T SAY THAT BRAGGING, I JUST THINK HE IS.” TRAINER ROBERT BRITTON