Hooked On Scotch Out Of Warragul Cup

TRAINER Jason Thompson is remaining philosophical about the injury enforced scratching of Hooked On Scotch in Saturday night's Group 2 Warragul Toyota Cup Final (460m).

“There's a lot of people worrying about a lot more at the moment than an injured greyhound so you just move on,” Thompson said.

Hooked On Scotch – universally regarded as Australia's fastest greyhound –  charged into another big race final with a rampaging near record 25.34 Warragul cup heat success on Friday night, the son of Barcia Bale and Nicki Fields simply breathtaking in setting the time-standard for the $47,000 to-the-winner finale.

But hopes of a fifth group race triumph were dashed soon after his powerhouse victory.

“I knew he'd done some damage when I got him off the track on Friday night but I wasn't sure the extent of it … he was on three legs,” Thompson explained.

“I had our vet come out Saturday morning and go over him and he confirmed there's a slight tear in the ligament behind his stopper (bone).

“At first we thought it might be a 10-12 week injury but he's responded well to treatment  in the past few days. I'd say we are looking at 6-8 weeks now.”

Hooked On Scotch's scratching from Saturday night's Warragul Cup decider has seen Melbourne Cup hero Whiskey Riot assume favouritism for the group 2 feature.

The Adelaide Cup winner's injury enforced lay-off will also him miss the upcoming Paws of Thunder at Wentworth Park and the Australian Cup carnival at The Meadows.

“I was going to nominate him for the Paws Of Thunder instead of the Derby in Sydney but that's out now – so is the Australian Cup,” Thompson said.

“Looking at the dates if everything goes to plan he should be right for the Golden Easter Egg. We'll just see how he comes along, but one thing is for sure we won't be rushing him.”

In the aftermath of Friday night's incident Thompson has also called for Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) to revisit their policy about utilizing lures in the catching pen at the conclusion of races.

“I don't agree with it at all – I haven't right the way through,” Thompson said.

“I'd say this would be the fourth of fifth dog I've had this happen too in the past 18 months.

“It's no one's fault on Friday night, they are just doing what they are told to do.

“When you get a dog like Hooked On Scotch going that quick, so far in front they end up going from holding the rail watching the lure to their attention being shifted to a completely different direction onto the lure in the pen.

“It's something they need to look at.”