Racing
Just as exciting as a track record
Greg Doyle has waited 36 years for a place in a Group 1 final, and on Saturday night at The Meadows, Electrify delivered in unforgettable fashion.
Electrify produced a performance that needs to be seen to be believed in his Silver Chief heat, charging from the back of the field, weaving through heavy traffic and storming home to run down the talented Intrepidus.
"I thought we were in strife," Doyle said post-race.
"To be eight lengths off them, to check off heels at the back – it's just extraordinary."
With just three race dogs in his kennel, Doyle admits the past few months have been a whirlwind – but it didn't come without its challenges.
"I had a bit of trouble with Unworldly, who wouldn't go into the pen," Doyle said.
"You think, 'geez, this is all too hard', and then you get a dog like Electrify and it's pretty amazing."
After years of breeding, Doyle made the conscious decision to pivot and purchase pups – a move that would change everything.
That decision delivered both Unworldly, a once-in-a-lifetime greyhound, and Electrify.
On Saturday night at The Meadows, Electrify will jump from box seven in the Group 1 Silver Chief final.
While his 30.06 second heat win was eye-catching, he now faces a serious challenge in Traumatise, who is fresh off a blistering 525-metre track record performance for trainer Jason Thompson.
"His run wasn't quite a track record run like Traumatise's, but it's just as exciting for me." Doyle said.
Traumatise has drawn box one and has been heavily supported by punters heading into the final.
"I know my dog can go 29.50s, 29.60s, but it's very hard for him to do that in a race." Doyle said.
Following the Silver Chief, Electrify is booked on a flight to Queensland on Monday as preparations begin for the Summer Carnival.
There, he will join former kennel-mate Unworldly under the care of Tom Tzouvelis.