Last Hurrah Lands Deserved Group 1 Triumph

ROOKIE trainer Brett Nye has claimed group 1 glory with Last Hurrah making it seven straight to win the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) at The Meadows on Monday night.

The victory in the $75,000 to-the-winner middle distance feature capped off a stunning start to the career of 29-year-old Brett Nye who only took up full-time training duties 13 months ago.

And while enjoying strong success with his formidable kennel it's largely been the always reliable Last Hurrah that's been at the forefront for the Little River conditioner.

If there's a greyhound in Victoria that deserved a big race win beside his name it was Last Hurrah.

And for much of the 600 metre contest the race was very much in his keeping with a dashing front running display to score in 34.23.

Finishing second was Christo Bale 3 ¼ lengths away, the reversal of the Group 2 McKenna Memorial at Sandown in July where it was Christo Bale that reigned supreme over Last Hurrah.

"He's just a super dog," Nye beamed after the race.

"I was just so happy to see him get to the front early and run away with the win.

"I feel he really deserves this. He has been competing at the top level since February last year, and tonight is just so good for him – so good for the dog.

"He's really relishing those bend starts. I was a little nervous down the back straight tonight with Christo Bale sitting behind him, as he ran him down in the McKenna Memorial and he's such a strong dog.

"But once Last Hurrah gets on the rail you can't move him.

"I moved in with my grandfather (Jim Psaila) to look after him but I never intended on training dogs.

"Now I train 16 greyhounds and it's pretty hard to believe that I've now trained my first Group 1 winner."

Monday night's Hume Cup victory extended Last Hurrah's record to 33 wins from 70 career starts, his prize money earnings now a cool $232,000.

And in his dynamite form the son of Where's Pedro is showing no signs of slowing down with more spring riches on the offing.