Dual Group 1 Champion back to his very best at Cannington
Dual Group 1 champion greyhound Elite Machine proved to everyone that he is back to his best and confident racing at Cannington on Saturday night.
Pre-race, there were concerns that, despite his unbeaten successes in Queensland, a bad fall in the Listed Winter Cup final in June at Cannington had dented his confidence at his home track.
Following the 2023 Group 1 Brisbane Cup victory, Elite Machine returned home for two failed runs at Cannington before trainer Jamie Marsh decided to send him for a spell.
But Marsh was confident that Elite Machine was ready to return to racing at Cannington.
“While we always have that fall incident on our minds, we are confident in Elite Machines performance since returning to training.
“He has been performing well during his trial runs after his return, but he might still need another week or so to reach his full potential,” Marsh shared regarding Elite Machines progress.
And Marsh's judgement proved spot on on Saturday night, when Elite Machine began well enough from box four to muscle his way to the lead at the post the first time and go on with the job, winning by 2.0 lengths in 29.50.
Cannington Free For All 520m Sept. 30, 2023 – Elite Machine (29.50) T: Jamie Marsh
Elite Machine's winning time is his second fastest run around the Cannington 520m from 30 starts at the track and trip.
The only faster winning time is his personal best 29.43 run when beating Amplified in a heat of the 2023 Listed Lew Dorsa Memorial Trophy, which he subsequently won.
The Cannington track record stands at 29.26, set by Campini in January 2020.
Elie Machine, a son of Aussie Infrared and Pat's Lass, has won 23 of his 42 starts and run a further five placings.
Along with the 2023 Group 1 Brisbane Cup at Albion Park, Elite Machine also won the 2023 Group 1 Perth Cup at Cannington, and the Listed Lew Dorsa Memorial Trophy, and ran third in the inaugural The Sandgroper at Cannington.
The Daniel Williams-owned brindle dog has won $1,053,701 in prizemoney for connections.
Elite Machine's return to form comes at an opportune time for Marsh, with the 2023 Group 2 All Stars Sprint at Cannington set to begin soon, as well a potential trip to Victoria for the 2023 Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Sandown.