Father Rick belies age with fast GRNSW Masters win
Father Rick exited the boxes on Saturday night, April 20, 2024, at Wentworth Park as the oldest greyhound in the veterans feature race in NSW, the GRNSW Masters, and emerged victorious for Ray and Sharron Webster.
Father Rick, whelped back in early December 2019, was the oldest greyhound in the ‘old dogs' classic race at Wentworth Park by 28 days, but belied his age to score an emphatic win in 29.63, the quickest of his five-year career.
The son of Fernando Bale and Lagoon Prissy only started racing in Master's class races in March of this year, having been in a purple patch of form, finishing second in the 2024 Group 1 Rookie Rebel at The Meadows and the 2024 Golden Sand at Albion Park.
The Sharron Webster-owned greyhound won the 2023 Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial at Sandown in December.
In the final on Golden Easter Egg night, the veteran of 83 starts was able to begin quickly from box seven to chase early leader Coco Model into the back straight.
Father Rick took over, entering the home corner, and charged away to win the $10,000 to-the-winner final in 29.63, with Coco Model hanging on for second, 4.75 lengths away.
2024 GRNSW Masters Final – Father Rick (29.63) T: Ray Webster
Father Rick has now had 83 starts for 32 wins and 22 placings, earning the husband and wife connections $302,635 in prizemoney.
A bold gamble to keep Father Rick as fresh as possible for the final by trainer Ray Webster paid off handsomely, with the trainer not letting the dog off the lead for the eight days leading into the race final.
“I took a punt and had kept Father Rick on the lead for the past eight days,” said Webster
“I wanted him to be as fresh as possible because I knew he had to be up reasonably close to the pace early, and it worked out well.”
Owner and wife Sharron Webster was in awe of her old warrior, saying, “Isn't he amazing!”
“He's just amazing; he really is.
“He's just the perfect dog.
Webster paid tribute to the team that her husband Ray and Father Rick make.
“Ray just knows the dog very well; he really does.
“He's really very good at planning out his races for him, and the dog performs for him.” Sharron said.
2024 GRNSW Masters Final
2024 GRNSW Master Results Wentworth Park 520m $10,000 to-the-winner Saturday, April 20, 2024 29.63
|
|
| 1st |
7 Father Rick
T: Ray Webster 29.63 – $10,000 +250
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| 2nd |
3 Coco Model
T: Tayt Corless 29.97 4.75 lengths $16,000 +600
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| 3rd |
6 Cumbria Kid
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| 4th |
4 Fascinate Mel
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| 5th |
2 fascinate Trump
T: Noelene Holloway 30.35 10.25 lengths $1,000 +750
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| 6th |
1 Vencedor
T: Chrystal Hensing 30.35 10.25 lengths $1,000 +260
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| 7th |
5 Cumbria Mel
T: Steve Fitch 30.38 10.5 lengths $1,000 +5000
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| 8th |
8 Murrurundi Boy
T: Samuel Rees 30.41 11 lengths $1,000 +1700
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