Bunyip trainer Robert Conway believes Galloping Speed has a bright staying future but he fears Saturday night’s Warragul Distance Cup (680m) may have come along too soon for the youngster.
Galloping Speed, which only turns two on Monday, is being tested over a staying trip for the first time and it will be a baptism of fire, facing multiple Group 1 finalist Sunset Bourbski and impressive last start Warragul winner Pilbara.
“It’s the first time he’s stepped up over the distance but he had a good win over 595m at Sandown recently, running 34.59s,” said Conway.
“He’s very young. I’m pretty sure he’s the youngest dog in the race by a long way but he has the potential to be a very good greyhound.
“He gets stronger the further he goes but I’ve been careful with him and taken him along pretty slowly. I try to wait until they’re two before putting them in staying races.”
Galloping Speed, which is also bred and raced by Conway, has won only two of his 19 starts, and the son of Dyna Villa and Wadelock Willow was never out of trouble at his most recent start when beaten a long way in a Sandown sprint.
But Conway has had plenty of success with stayers in the past and while Saturday’s assignment might be a case of too much, too soon, he’s backing his judgment that Galloping Speed will continue that trend.
“You’ve got to be realistic,” Conway said.
“I think the pink (Pilbara) is a certainty and the checks (Sunset Bourbski) is a very good dog too.
“I think Galloping Speed will be up there for a while but he mightn’t be strong enough over the last 50m at this stage. But you’ve got to start somewhere and I’d rather start racing for $10,000 than $1500!
“I’ve had quite a few stayers and I like training them.
“Jodie Melissa won a staying race at Warragul by 15 lengths and held the (699m) record there, Galloping Rocky won over 500m, 600m and 700m in the city and Montana Brave was a massive stayer.”
Conway describes Galloping Speed as “Crazy Dog” and says he’s very similar in nature to his former marvel Galloping Graham, which raced an unbelievable 250 times for 25 wins and 77 minor placings in a remarkable career that spanned 1999 to 2004.
“Galloping Speed has the same temperament as Galloping Graham; they’re both very stubborn,” explained Conway.
“I actually bought Galloping Graham by mistake. I went to buy another dog and they asked me if I wanted to take him too. They said to bring him back if I didn’t want him but he went on to have 250 TAB starts, which is a record!”
The Distance Cup is race 7 on Saturday’s Warragul Cup card at 8.42pm.
