With six wins from only seven starts, Masked Avenger is already a ‘marvel’… In fact, he could be the sport’s next ‘superhero’!
Trained at Maryborough by Joe Borg, Masked Avenger encounters his biggest battle in a Western Districts Derby heat (450m) tonight at Ballarat.
He faces off against emerging talents People Get Ready, Limiting and Shima Jake, along with established star Aussie Secret.
But Borg is hopeful Masked Avenger (Apr ’19 Aston Dee Bee x Lady Avenger) – a member of a highly promising litter – is equal to the litmus test.
“Right from the word go, he showed ability,” Borg said. “He and his brother, Ultimate Avenger, were the quickest at breaking-in stage.”
In fact, Borg – who bought his first greyhound in 1988 – says Masked Avenger has the potential to rival three of the best he’s trained – Proven Impala, Myrniong Corner and Ralphy Cinel.
“His mother (Lady Avenger) was also very good, but she tore an achilles tendon and we didn’t get to see her best,” he added.
Blessed with blistering early speed, Masked Avenger will exit from Box 8 and Borg says, “no box bothers him”. “All the heats are really hot, and I’m just hoping he gets a clear run into the first turn.”
WATCH: Emerging talent Masked Avenger (4) clocks a slick 23.71sec win at Bendigo on January 29.
Borg also paid tribute to Masked Avenger’s owner, Rod Oppenhuis.
“Malcolm Hirtzel introduced me to Rod and we’ve now been close friends for eight years… He’d been buying pups for seven years and never got a winner.”
Borg added that to his credit, Oppenhuis kept persevering.
“He deserves so much success for everything he’s put into the sport… He’s been determined to succeed and that’s what it’s all about in this game.”
Masked Avenger lines up in Heat 1 – Race 5 at 8.20pm.
