Stanley All The Talk Heading Into Meteor

WHEN Friday night's Masters Meteor hopeful Blabba Mouth stepped out for a winning Maitland debut in January 2016, not one of the TAB Million Dollar Chase finalists had even been born.

How's that for longevity?

Owned and trained by Cheryl Murray in the tiny Hunter Valley town of Pelaw Main, Blabba Mouth lines-up for his second Masters Meteor Final on Friday after finishing a courageous third in last year's inaugural running behind Cosmic Bonus.

On Cosmic Bonus, the prolific winning northern rivers dynamo, trained by Len and Evelyn Harris, returns to Wentworth Park on Friday night to defend his Masters Meteor crown.

Amazingly, Springcreek Bill, who split the pair finishing runner-up in last year's decider, also takes his place in the $100,000 to-the-winner finale.

"Before the series started I was talking To Donna Campbell (Springcreek Bill's trainer) and she said wouldn't it be amazing if the first three across the line last year made the final again … and that's what's happened," Murray said.

5 ½ year old Blabba Mouth, a son of Magic Sprite and two-time group 1 winner Cindeen Shelby, optimizes all that's good about greyhound racing.

A veteran of 76 starts, Stanley – as he's better known around the Murray household – has won 25 races with a further 24 placings. His stake earnings currently sit at $108,925, a figure that will double if successful at Wentworth Park on Friday night.

"What can I say … he's just an old marvel, he keeps on keeping on," Murray beamed.

"After last year's (Meteor) final we never dreamed of him being here again this year. How could you at his age?

"We were joking the other day about him maybe still racing when next year's race comes around … you have a chuckle about it but the way he's racing who's to say he won't be!"

At Wentworth Park last Wednesday, four heats of the Masters Meteor were run and won where Blabba Mouth, finalist in the ‘17 G1 Paws Of Thunder, qualified fastest with an impressive 29.94 victory – his 15th success at the Glebe circuit.

The slashing victory was of no real surprise. His last 10 Wentworth Park appearances in masters company has brought about seven wins and three seconds.

Pretty decent form wouldn't you say?

Last week's remaining Meteor heats were annexed by Drinks Schooners in 30.10, Bogan Doonie in 30.21 while last year's champ, Cosmic Bonus, scored in 29.97.

"What Masters racing has done for Stanley is just unbelievable," beamed Murray.

"He absolutely loves racing and craves all the attention. When he gets to the track he thinks everyone's there to see him and give him a pat. He won't mind the big crowd at all on Friday night … in fact he'll love it.

"He's the oldest dog in the final but you wouldn't know it from looking at him – there's not a grey hair on him. He still runs around at home like he's two or three and he looks it as well. He spends his days just laying out in the yard with his sister. He's brought a lot of joy to the whole family."

The TAB has installed 56-race winner Cosmic Bonus a $3.00 chance to go back-to-back in Friday night's Masters Meteor from box six.

The Michelle Sultana-trained Drink Schooners (box two) is second favourite at $3.20 while Blabba Mouth (box three) is right in betting at $3.80.

"You get what you get but the main thing is that we've drawn inside Cosmic Bonus and Friend Of Man," Murray explained.

"About four of five weeks ago when he was having a little break we trialled him at The Gardens over the 515m and he went 29.34 … the best he's ever gone. And he's done that at 5 ½ years of age.

"The 10 day gap between the heat and the final is perfect for him. He's had a few slips up the straight and is ready to go Friday. But the main thing is that he gets around safely.

"A few weeks back after he won at Wenty all our kids and grand-kids were in the car park waiting to give him a big hug and a clap. You can tell he just loves it.

"Hopefully that happens again on Friday night – we're just so proud of him."

Masters Meteor Box Draw: 1 Springcreek Bill 2 Drink Schooners 3 Blabba Mouth 4 Bad Ronnie 5 Friend Of Man 6 Cosmic Bonus 7 Kroes 8 Bogan Doonie 9 Rita's Boy 10 Little Digger.

* Pic courtesy: Tim Martin photography