Hotel Whiskey One out of Horsham Cup, Tim Zoo now favourite

The 2025 Group 2 Horsham Cup has been dealt a major blow with pre-race favourite Hotel Whisky One officially scratched due to injury.

The Anthony Azzopardi-trained star pulled up sore following his dominant 26.93-second heat win last week, and connections have opted to prioritize his long-term career rather than risk him in Friday night’s final.

RSN George Farrugia spoke with Azzopardi, who confirmed that the greyhound had sustained bruising to the groin and would require two to three weeks on the sidelines.

“He pulled up with some bruising in the groin area, and we have chosen not to risk him,” Azzopardi told Farrugia.

“He is racing so well at the moment, so we are erring on the side of caution, especially with some major races on the horizon. We believe he could have a huge few months ahead, and we want to give him every chance to be at his best.”

The scratching is a bitter blow for Azzopardi’s kennel, as Hotel Whisky One had established himself as one of the leading contenders after clocking the second-fastest time of the heats.

Horsham Cup heat 1 race replay – Hotel Whiskey One (26.93)

The son of Whiskey Riot and Flying September had utilised his early speed from Box 1 to lead all the way in Heat 1, fending off a brave Extradited by two and a half lengths.

His withdrawal hands first reserve Extradited a place in the final, stepping into Box 5 barring any further withdrawals.

With Hotel Whisky One now out of contention, the market has undergone a shift, with Tim Zoo firming into favouritism at $2.45 with the top greyhound bookmakers after drawing Box 4.

2025 Horsham Cup Box Draw & Betting Odds

2025 Horsham Cup Final Box Draw & Field Horsham 485m Group 2 $40,000 to-the-winner Friday, March 7, 2025
	1 Amron Tiger T: Brooke EnnisF: 22322Career: 54: 12-17-10Prizemoney: $117,215 +400
	2 Paw Utility T: Samantha GrenfellF: 12531Career: 25: 7-5-4Prizemoney: $31,510 +450
	3 Zipping Hopkins T: Brooke EnnisF: 41271Career: 42: 15-12-5Prizemoney: $101,615 +2200
	4 Tim Zoo T: Jason ThompsonF: 11122Career: 46: 48: 22-10-4Prizemoney: $690,660 +145
✘	5 Hotel Whiskey One T: Anthony AzzopardiF: 11441Career: 45: 20-7-3Prizemoney: $154,625
	6 Zipping Kai T: Thomas DaillyF: 47171Career: 44: 11-6-6Prizemoney: $134,810 +1000
	7 Flying Zulu T: Jason ThompsonF: 12262Career: 47: 25-9-2Prizemoney: $877,290 +340
	8 Leo Bale T: Rebecca GibbonsF: 11141Career: 40: 19-5-3Prizemoney: $52,460 +1500
Reserves
	9 Extradited T: Daniel GibbonsF: 18232Career: 21: 7-4-3Prizemoney: $19,340 +900
	10 Dash Of Whiskey T: Danielle SmithF: 63422Career: 33: 6-4-4Prizemoney: $28,865 +3400