Schillaci Leaves ‘Egg' On Critics' Faces

THE Phoenix victor Schillaci emphatically slammed the door shut on suggestions he was a one-hit wonder with a gallant second to Tim Zoo in the Group 1 Australian Cup Final (525m) on Saturday night.

Schillaci left egg on his critics' faces at The Meadows, with trainer Jihad Talgi now targeting another egg – of the Golden Easter variety.

Schillaci gave Talgi the thrill of his greyhound racing life with an upset victory in The Phoenix, also held at The Meadows, in December.

The Devon Meadows pizza shop proprietor unforgettably hit a $1 million jackpot in the world's richest race, but critics had Schillaci in their sights as he was beaten in six subsequent runs.

Talgi's homegrown pride and joy silenced his knockers in the Australian Cup, falling short by just 1.5 lengths in a bold bid to repeat his all-the-way Phoenix heroics.

"It was sensational," said a proud Talgi.

"There's been so many doubters and knockers out there, but what he did on Saturday night showed the class of the dog.

"If you knock him now, then you're not a greyhound lover.

"They knocked the Topgun panel for putting him in the race, they knocked Ladbrokes for picking him for The Phoenix and they knocked the Temlee panel for selecting him too.

"I don't know what the dog has done wrong to cop such a backlash.

"But we know how good he is. He's won $1,160,000 now, you tell me how many dogs have achieved that feat?"

The answer is not many – seven, to be precise.

A June '21 son of 2020 Melbourne Cup winner Hard Style Rico and Flying Hareeba, also bred and owned by Talgi, Schillaci started $10 from box two in the Australian Cup Final.

Schillaci enhanced his reputation as a ‘big game' performer, driving to the front and kicking clear in the back straight, only being claimed in the shadows of the post by Tim Zoo, clocking 29.81sec in defeat.

"He knows when it's grand final night!" said Talgi.

Schillaci takes out The Phoenix at a big price with a phenomenal performance! ???? pic.twitter.com/VVW0ViKjH5

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 16, 2023

"The two biggest races at The Meadows and he's won one and ran second in the other.

"It was only the last 30 metres I got picked up. 

"If there'd been some interference behind him, he might have snuck away with it, but Tim Zoo is a very strong dog.

"He used a lot of energy getting to the front and barging through. He gives his all for the first 450m, which leaves him vulnerable in the last 50 metres."

Schillaci, winner of 11 from 26, also including the G3 SA Derby, will now trial at Wentworth Park this weekend, the first step towards emulating his thoroughbred namesake.

A champion grey sprinter of the early 1990s, the equine Schillaci was a two-time G1 winner in Sydney of the Galaxy and George Ryder Stakes.

"The Golden Easter Egg is the main target now," Talgi said.

"I'm taking him up to trial at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

"After that I'll give him a bit of time off and then a couple of trials back here (Victoria) to get him ready for the Easter Egg heats (March 30.). That will be his next start."