Pindari's Express Ride To Stardom

TRACEY Scruse is adamant her unbeaten sensation Pindari Express is not for sale at any price after the boom youngster amazingly claimed his second track record in just five starts at Maitland last Thursday.

The only racing greyhound in owner/trainer Tracey Scruse's kennel, Pindari Express, a May '16 Fabregas – Brook's Doll half-brother to 2016 Melbourne Cup hero Ando's Mac, has won his first five starts in stunning fashion, highlighted by record-breaking performances at Bulli and Maitland.

It comes as absolutely no surprise that Chifley-based Scruse's phone has been running hot with offers over the last two months; however she says the would-be purchasers are wasting their time.

"I keep getting calls and another offer came last week after Maitland. I don't want to say how much, but they're big!" Tracey revealed.

"But he's not for sale. I would never sell him. Never. The dog is part of the family – the whole family is involved in the dog's life – and it wouldn't matter if he was fast or slow. He has a home for life and he's staying here.

"He's just an amazing dog. I'm a third generation trainer and we've never had a dog that's potentially this good. We've had good, handy TAB dogs before but a dog like this doesn't come along every day and it's very exciting for the whole family."

Pindari Express debuted in a blaze of glory at Bulli on May 12, equalling the 400m record, clocking 22.18 to share File The Writ's time standard, established in April 2017.

At his second career start, Pindari Express posted a near-record 24.75 over 450m at Maitland, before returning to Bulli where he won his next two starts over 472m in 26.11 and 26.15 respectively, both best of night performances.
Chasing his fifth consecutive victory at Maitland last Thursday, Pindari Express stifled betting on the first of three heats of the MTW Lodge Cup, starting at $1.20 from box two.

In another breathtaking display, Pindari Express trounced Viva Opal by 7.75 lengths in a scintillating 24.59, breaking Group-winning Victorian Hone In's previous course record of 24.63, established in a Maitland Cup heat in April.

"All the way through he's kept surprising us with what he's shown," Scruse offered.

"He's had five starts for five wins, he's started odds-on favourite five times, five times he's run the best of the night and he's run two track records!

"He ran 24.75 at his previous run at Maitland and the locals said he was running into a strong head-wind that day. Some of my friends were saying that he would break the record on Thursday but it is winter and you've got to consider the weather and slow tracks. Also, the way loam tracks are these days, one day they're fast and the next week they're slow. We knew he had it in him, but maybe not yet.

"He's only had five starts so we don't know what he might be capable of. The big test will come on tight tracks and 500m but all you can do is win. I'm not in any hurry with him. I was always taught that you look after them and they'll look after you.

"I've had a lot of help but I would also like to thank Neil Barnsley from Animal Holistic Therapies, who does a fantastic job of checking him to make sure he's spot on every week."

Wentworth Park shapes as Pindari Express' next frontier and Scruse could be excused for dreaming big, with her excitement machine already installed as joint $12 favourite in TAB's all-in Melbourne Cup market, alongside Dyna Patty and My Redeemer.

"I actually screen-shotted the Melbourne Cup market!" Scruse laughed.

"I can always say he was in the market now, even if he doesn't get there.

"I just want to take him through his grades. We've never actually had a city winner so we're hoping he might be the first.

"After the final at Maitland on Thursday I'm looking at two age classics in Victoria next month; the Warragul St Leger and Cranbourne Puppy Classic.

"The Shepparton Cup is on in between those two races but it's open class so he would be giving away a lot in experience and I don't think he's seasoned enough for that yet."