Transponder rallies to bring up hat-trick at Ballarat
Transponder notched up his third-straight win at Ballarat on Wednesday night, showcasing his ability as one of the best sprinters in the country.
The Jason Thompson-trained chaser lined up in the 450m contest as a $1.30 favourite with top online greyhound bookmakers.
Jumping from the pink box, he shot wide with a clear run to put himself in the race.
He wheeled out to take the lead, passing Common Step at the front before being checked slightly, but he came off the canvas to reclaim the lead and kick away.
He beat home Common Step ($5.40) and Ricky Bobby Riot ($29.30) by five-and-three-quarter lengths in a time of 25.29.
Transponder – Ballarat, August 30
Handler Luke Thompson said the team was impressed with the win.
“It was a nice performance, he loves the pink box, so he was always going to get his chance,” he said.
“He got tangled up a bit on the corner when there was a bit happening.
“But he kicked away strongly up the straight for a good win.”
Transponder's last start on August 23, saw him compete in the Speed Star over the 515m at Sandown Park beating home exciting Jackie Greenough-trained Big Energy by one and a half lengths.
Earlier this year on June 16, he lined up in the Listed Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter Final, saluting in front of Rejuvenate by two and a half lengths to take the $75,000-to-the-winner prize.
With an impressive 84% strike rate of landing in placings, he has only gone unplaced twice in his last 20 starts.
The Deliver x Unquestionably dog has 17 wins and 10 placings from 32 career starts and has cracked $158,855 in prize money.
According to Thompson, plans for Transponder are still up in the air.
“We're still tossing and turning whether he'll go towards the Adelaide Cup or Million Dollar Chase,” he said.