Salad Dodger Serves Up Record Temora Run

ANTHONY Azzopardi and Andy Lord have been mates for a long time, but that friendship was strained “a little” when Salad Dodger dented superstar She's A Pearl's Temora Cup crown a touch when winning a heat of the 457m series on Sunday.

But, the son of Whiskey Riot and Winsome Sandy had to break the track record with a 25.42 romp to do it.

She's A Pearl started the $1.33 favourite in Sunday's heat as defending Temora Cup champ.

But, Salad Dodger, already a one-time track record holder at Traralgon, exploded from the lids and set up a “catch me if you can” scenario.

Not even the NSW greyhound of the year She's A Pearl could do that.

“I felt a jab in the ribs on the finish line,” said Anthony. “I turned around to see who it was but missed seeing them. I reckon it might have been Andy but I'm not swearing on it.”

You don't win friends with salad! ?

Salad Dodger has broken the @Temoragreys 457m record in his defeat of She's A Pearl in a scorching opening heat of the @ladbrokescomau Temora GBOTA Cup, clocking 25.42s in his 1 1/4L victory!#thedogs @WatchDogRacing @GRV_News pic.twitter.com/Dj6JjWoy3b

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 5, 2023

Salad Dodger was sensational.

“No, the track record did not surprise me, but he had to run that to beat a bitch like (She's A) Pearl,” said Anthony.

Salad Dodger had trialled only once over 300m at Temora in preparation for the heats.

“I've had some trouble with our meat and all the dogs put on a lot of weight, exploded actually,” he said.

“I pulled nearly a kilo off him since his latest run.”

Azzopardi says the five box for next weekend's final, worth $40,000 to the winner, may not be as tough an assignment as would appear.

“I believe the four and the six do not have great early pace so that could play into our hands,” he said.

“But, he will need to lead or be oh so close if he is to win.

“And, it will not surprised me to see Pearl turn the tables. That will cheer up Andy.”

Azzopardi was contemplating a Golden Easter Egg campaign but has decided against it.

“He'll come back home for the Shepparton Cup heats on March 20 and then head towards the Geelong Cup,” he said.

“He is a fantastic chaser and has developed into such a nice race dog.”

Azzopardi had nothing but praise for the Temora Club.

“What a great job they do at that track,” he said.

“They deserve to have a race like this and dogs like these come chasing the $40,000.”

Other heats of the Cup went to:

Quick Lomar in 25.76 for Nathan McMenamin beating Tarawi Ferrari and Where's Bourbon.

Paua Of Silence in 25.69 for Steve White beating Tarawi Rocky and Mellcat Coral.

Wiradjuri Jack in 25.70 for Neil Staines beating Always A Thrill and Got The Feature.

Temora Cup final (in box draw order): 1 Wiradjuri Jack, 2 She's A Pearl, 3 Tarawi Ferrari, 4 Quick Lomar, 5 Salad Dodger, 6 Paua Of Silence, 7 Always A Thrill, 8 Tarawi Rocky. Res: 9 Fire Hose, 10 Where's Bourbon.