Hooked On Scotch On The Road To Greatness

IT’S infrequent that a greyhound transcends the sport yet Melbourne Cup favourite Hooked On Scotch is on a trajectory to do just that.

IT'S rare that a greyhound transcends the sport yet Hooked On Scotch is on a trajectory to do just that.

Generational canine superstars create a profound impression and leave a lasting legacy.

Granted it's only early days in Hooked On Scotch's career, yet the gut feeling is we are witnessing one of the modern day greats blossom before our very eyes.

And on Friday night, the prodigious talent will start a short priced elect in the Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup.

Such is the aura around the freakishly talented son of Barcia Bale and Nicki Fields, industry experts are going on record to suggest he's perhaps the fastest we've seen – in ‘Brett Lee' territory.

In terms of plaudits, it's the highest possible compliment that can come your way.

Not two until just before Christmas – yes, he's not yet two – Hooked On Scotch goes into Friday night's Melbourne Cup as the winner at 10 of his 15 starts, with four placings.

In those 10 wins he's secured the Group 1 Adelaide Cup, a performance that has the Run Of The Year safely parceled up, as well as the Group 2 Geelong Cup, Sandown's Group 3 Shootout and Group 3 Speed Star.

And while bagging big race after big race, he's running remarkable times, none more captivating than last Friday night's sublime 28.94 track record run in his Melbourne Cup heat at Sandown.

Such is his latent ability, it's fair to suggest there's not a track record in the land not within reach of Hooked On Scotch … given clear air.

On Friday, Hooked On Scotch will look to deliver Jason and Seona Thompson a fifth Melbourne Cup, their previous winners Light Of Fire (1994), Got A Moment (2012), Black Magic Opal (2013) and Aston Dee Bee (2017).

He will also look to become just the third greyhound to win Australia's most coveted greyhound race before turning 24 months of age.

The Melbourne Cup honour roll boasts the best of the best – many have gone on to forge lucrative stud careers.

Recent examples include El Grand Senor, Black Magic Opal, Dyna Villa, Dyna Double One and more recently Aston Dee Bee and My Redeemer. In the case of Aston Dee Bee and My Redeemer, breeders eagerly await their first offspring to grace the tracks.

Victory in Friday night's $435,000 to-the-winner Melbourne Cup will underscore an already rock solid stud profile for Hooked On Scotch when that time comes.

His arrival at stud will be hugely anticipated by breeders – both local and abroad.

Talk that a victory on Friday night may advance a premature end to his racing career have been quashed by owners Darren and Michael Puleio, adamant it hasn't been discussed.

And why would it?

What this grand sprinter could achieve in the next 12 months can potentially establish him as one of the best we've seen – ever.

On Friday night, Hooked On Scotch's presence will only enhance what is traditionally a bumper crowd at Sandown for the Cup.

It's a sensational night of racing but there's no question who the star of the show is.

The prospect of another track record just whets the appetite.

And if victory does come his way on Friday night take a moment to pause and reflect on what this mighty youngster has been able to achieve since debuting in a maiden at Warragul in July.

For the record he got beaten that night. Something that's been rather scarce since.

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