“Overachiever” Poised For Unlikely Group 1 Triumph

PAPI Go Fast is quickly becoming greyhound racing's biggest overachiever.

And at The Meadows this Saturday night the free-wheeling front runner can capture the unlikeliest of group 1 victories when he starts from box one in the Feikuai Greyhounds Silver Chief Final (525m).

"He's already exceeded our expectations so anything on Saturday night would be a bonus," said proud trainer Rob Camilleri.

"There's only 28 kilos of him and most of that is heart. He gives you everything every time he goes around – and his record shows that.”

It was only in August that Papi Go Fast debuted in a lowly Cranbourne maiden over the 311 metre scamper.

He finished third before going on to win a remarkable nine straight.

"He's had 20 starts now for 14 wins and six placings – he's just handled everything we've thrown his way," Camilleri said.

"A few years ago we trained a dog called Dat Dat Daty for Papi Go Fast's owner Robert Horne who lives in Queensland.

"We hadn't heard from him for a while and then earlier this year he called to see if we'd take two dogs to pre-train that had been moved on by someone else.

"We jumped at it and Papi Go Fast showed something pretty early – running quick sections on our track at home. Early on we thought he'd probably be a 400 metre dog but we've gradually built him up to give him a chance over 500 and he's taken to it like a duck to water.

"He's come from really nowhere so we're proud of what he's been able to achieve so far. To make a group 1 final is unbelievable."

Saturday night's Silver Chief finale is stacked with hugely talented male youngsters.

Just as you'd expect with a cool $100,000 awaiting winning connections.

Papi Go Fast, a son of Fernando Bale, raced his way into contention for the series with an all-the-way 29.83 heat win on Saturday night, a performance Camilleri admits did catch him by surprise.

“He had to come out running and he did but I was really impressed with his last bit as well,” the trainer said.

"To be a chance in the final he'll need to nail the start again. He went 5.00 early last week which was the quickest of the heats and box one will give him a chance of holding the front.

"If he does and there's some trouble behind you never know.

"That's what's so great about this sport; going to the races knowing when the boxes open anything can happen."

Tab.com.au has Papi Go Fast the $5.00 second favourite for Saturday night's blockbuster finale with top billing jointly held by Lakeview Walter and Equalizer at $3.20 apiece.

"We are just over the moon that he's made the final," Camilleri added.

"So far he's grabbed everything we've thrown at him with both hands and after Saturday night there's some nice races for him coming up.

"To have had 20 starts and not miss a place is a great effort. If he can extend that record to at least one more it'd be nice.

"But wherever he finishes on Saturday night I know he'll walk off the track with no petrol left in the tank.

"He's not big but what there is of him is all heart."