Big Energy sizzles in Shootout at Sandown with sub-29 run
Big Energy set Sandown Park alight on Saturday night by clinching the Group 3 Shootout (515m) title in dominant fashion.
The West Australian import shattered the coveted 29-second barrier for the second time, leaving spectators and his competitors in awe.
Trained by the duo of Kel and Jackie Greenough, Big Energy follows in the footsteps of their champion Wow She's Fast, who triumphed in the 2022 edition of this race.
After finishing fifth in the Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows a week before, Big Energy entered the Shootout as a +220 second favourite alongside Hume Cup winner Hector Fawley.
Alpha Zulu was the market fancy at +170 on the top greyhound betting sites, with Transponder rounding out a strong four-dog field at +430.
Jumping from box one, Big Energy burst out with a sizzling first section of 5.02 seconds to take an early lead.
From there, he never looked back, kicking on to win from Hector Fawley by 7.25 lengths in a time of 28.98 seconds — just shy of his personal best at 29.83.
2023 Shootout replay – Big Energy (28.98) – T: Jackie Greenough
“He took full advantage of the good box, got a clear run and away he went,” said Kel Greenough.
“Generally his first section is a little bit slower than that, so the fact that he's run his best first section is really good.
“Most of the time he's trying to get through the field, so it was nice to see him get clear air.”
Big Energy and kennelmate Wow She's Fast will return to Sandown next Saturday night for the heats of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515m).