‘A bit of an upset’ was how Nitro Value’s shock victory in a Presidents Cup heat was described this week; but that wouldn’t been the emotions felt by those who had a few dollars on the dog as he paid a whopping $72.50 for the win.
The three-and-a-half-year-old greyhound, in the care of owner/trainer Kevin Mugavin, defeated a hot field that included Group 1 winners Deliver and Black Impala, plus former Horsham track record holder Got Some Wheels.
It was Kevin’s second win of the day. “We started the day off alright; Cloona Reward won the third (race) earlier so I guess it sort of rolled on from there,” Mugavin told RSN Central.
“He (Nitro Value) had a good win the week before and it gave him a bit of confidence I reckon. When he gets a win like that he does tend to string two or three wins in a row, so hopefully he can do the same thing next week.”
“He really came out running in the heat. He only does that every 10 or 12 races.”
Despite Nitro Value winning his heat in the impressive of time of 27.29sec, he will be up against it in Tuesday’s Presidents Cup Final. The competition won’t be any easier, featuring the likes of triple Group 1 runner-up Black Opium, young guns Eight Ball and Start A Riot, as well as Deliver and Got Some Wheels. Nitro Value will exit Box 3.
“He’s probably got his work cut out for him” admits Kevin. “(Although) He’s got confidence (right now) – that’s a big thing.”
Tuesday’s Presidents Cup winner will collect a $15,000 first prize. Kevin is full of praise for the club enticing so many quality greyhounds into the series.
“You’ve got to give credit to Horsham – they’ve done a great job. It’s a terrific track.”
Kevin is based in Killarney, near Warrnambool, and uses the local beach as part of his training programme. “I take them down (to be the beach) three or four mornings a week for twenty minutes. Probably better for me than for the dogs…”
