Equalizer will be striving to complete one of greyhound racing’s greatest ever comeback stories when the Victorian powerhouse takes aim at back-to-back victories in the Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m) on Thursday night.
Retired due to injury only two starts after a runaway victory in the 2021 Brisbane Cup, Equalizer earned the right to defend his crown with an astonishing last-to-first heat victory that had to be seen to be believed.
Equalizer, a half-brother to 2020 Brisbane Cup heroine Black Opium, improved his perfect record at Albion Park to five from five with a performance that left his champion trainer Jason Thompson searching for superlatives.
“He was never going to race again and now he’s back in a Group 1 with a live chance.”
“It was a massive run. Unbelievable,” said Thompson.
“He came out a bit flat-footed and then took a long time to get himself balanced and get into gear. When he started to make a move, I thought he was too far back.
“I was hoping it was going to be a quick time, so he could still qualify as one of the fastest seconds.
“The way he’s racing for the age he is and what he’s been through, he’s just a marvel.
“A lot of dogs are leaders but the way he races and from where he has to come from, he shows a will to win and compete that absolutely amazes me.
“His last two wins at Albion Park and the two wins at The Meadows before he went up to Brisbane show he’s going as good as ever.”
WATCH: EQUALIZER (B4) is striving for back-to-back victories in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup on Thursday night after maintaining his perfect record at Albion Park with a sensational last-to-first heat victory, defeating BLACK MAGIC ROSE (B3) in the last stride.
Thompson, who’s holidaying in Bali this week, and owner/breeders Serge and Bill Buccilli are aiming for an incredible third straight ‘family’ Brisbane Cup celebration, with 2020 winner Black Opium also finishing runner-up in 2019.
Equalizer’s nose victory in 29.88sec was the first of two Victorian heat wins, with Big Opal Rocks, trained by Mario Briganti, running 30.02sec.
Gavin Clifton’s Photo Man, winner of the G2 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park last month, also advanced as one of the fastest two seconds.
After drawing Box 6 for Thursday’s $350,000 to-the-winner Cup final, Equalizer is $6.50 in TAB’s market, with Photo Man (Box 1) and Big Opal Rocks (Box 3) at $4.20 and $6.50, respectively.
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“He’ll figure it out and if it’s meant to be he’ll get the luck when he needs it,” Thompson said.
“I suppose it would’ve been a slight advantage if he’d drawn ‘the red’ but in that field he’s going to be last early anyway.
“He obviously loves the track, he’s in form, he’s confident and he’s a happy dog; I couldn’t be happier with him.
“He was never going to race again and now he’s back in a Group 1 with a live chance.”
