Leeroy's Thrilling GOTBAT Success

THE career of top-flight galloper Leeroy Rogue continued to grow further after another exciting victory in the Division One Final of the GOTBAT Series at Hobart on Thursday night after missing the start.

After winning his heat in blazing fashion the previous week, his sixth win over the sprint trip, Leeroy Rogue started the $2.40 favourite wearing the blue vest in the final ahead of Lobster Falls, next best at $3.20.
Trained by Debbie Cannan, the son of Big Daddy Cool and Fantasy Royale was a fraction slow to begin from box four over 461-metres but quickly mustered speed through a field gap to find the early lead before the top turn.
The Jane Crawford-owned chaser set up a three-length break off the back and kicked strongly around the bend, he stormed home to score by 4 ¾ lengths from Flamin' Baroque running home strongly in a lightning time of 25.75.
Thursday night's victory was the former Queenslanders' twenty-fourth win from 47 career starts.
Mangalore-based Debbie Cannan describes her star performer as the consummate professional.
"Jeff and Jane Crawford (owners) cannot be any prouder of their dog and he has done extremely well competing week in and week out in top graded company and the dog was just a few lengths off his personal best time, I can't say anything else," Debbie told.
Leeroy Rogue was shipped to the Apple Isle by the Crawford's in November last year and since then, he has established a fabulous record of eleven wins from 14 appearances, with his career highlight making the Group 3 Devonport Cup back in January.
The black chaser has posted phenomenal wins at Devonport in 25.38 and at Launceston in 29.92.
"The dog is the ultimate package and he is an absolute please to train. His record clearly shows how much he loves Hobart and a lot of people seem to forget that the dog is four-years-old but that certainly doesn't show and he's in top form," Cannan added.
Leeroy Rogue will return to Hobart this Thursday in the Invitation (race 7 – box 4) chasing his 8th win on the track, against the likes of the inform Patrick Ryan-trained El Grand Amigo in box six and Rikitikitana out in box seven for Blake Pursell.
"I'm not really phased when it comes to box draws knowing Leeroy Rogue's habits, he just seems to find the finish line with blistering speed no matter the obstacle. He's very sound with no injuries and looks magnificent and he is a lovely natured animal.