Slingshot Reaper was headed for a new home – GRV’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP). But now he’s staying put!
And that’s all thanks to returning from a seven-week hiatus like a ‘slingshot’.
After finishing last at Shepparton on December 13, he resumed at Healesville on January 30 and clocked a smart 16.59sec over 300m.
Better was to come two weeks later when Slingshot Reaper ($13.90) defeated country champ Benchester ($2.70F) by 2.6L in a flying 16.34sec – only 2L off the 16.22sec track record set by Matt’s Entity on August 18, 2013.
Slingshot Reaper (Feb ’18 Unlawful Entry x Paw Sa Prize) notched his 23rd win, including four of his past eight, from 83 starts with $40,975 in prizemoney. He also has 16 seconds and 12 thirds on his consistent CV.
And it was his eighth win from 14 starts over 300m up Healesville’s straight track.
Slingshot Reaper is a litter brother of 2020 G2 Bendigo Cup finalist Slingshot Titan which has won 30 races (with 11 seconds and three thirds) from 59 starts.
RSN racecaller Victoria Shaw interviewed Greendale trainer Brett Hare and his partner, Claire Allen (both in main photo), and asked how they felt after Slingshot Reaper’s scintillating win.
“It was a crazy run; it was so exciting to watch him run,” Brett said.
“He’s been struggling for a long time with injuries, and he is just back! That’s all I can say.”
Shaw then asked Brett what injuries Slingshot Reaper incurred: “Two starts back, he actually dislocated his toe. He split the webbing and the vet basically said he would have to have the toe removed, but things have turned out excellently, and he has recovered well, and he just loves racing, and he is back!”
Claire, who owns Slingshot Reaper, added: “We just put him back in work.”
Brett and Claire were going to retire Slingshot Reaper and even booked him into GAP, but according to Claire “he had other ideas, he wanted to keep running, so we put him back in work and here we are”.
Shaw asked Brett and Claire what they noticed in Slingshot Reaper that was a sign he wanted to race again.
“He’s very hard to keep calm at home, he is very hyperactive and he’s not a dog that can settle down too easily,” said a proudly grinning Brett.
“It’s going to be fun to see him as a couch dog, it’s going to be entertaining.” Claire added: “He’s very over the top!”
Shaw mentioned the time Slingshot Reaper posted – 16.34sec – and the track record which is 16.22sec, and Brett responded: “Two lengths off the track record, it’s fantastic. He has found a huge amount in the last two weeks, after the time he’s had off.”
Slingshot Reaper (6) in ‘shanghai’ mode at Healesville.
Claire and Brett pointed out that Slingshot Reaper turned four on February 9 as well, so he’s now a veteran.
So, where can we expect to next see Slingshot Reaper?
“Since his injury with his toe and that, I’m not inclined to take him around the turns because that is where he injured himself pre-Christmas,” Brett said.
“I’m more than happy to come here (Healesville). He is just a handful to get to the boxes with, that’s all.”
And Shaw said: “I’ll be on the lookout for Slingshot Reaper’s ‘antics’ as he is led to the boxes next time.”
WATCH: Slingshot Reaper (6) ‘catapults’ to a near track record 16.34sec win at Healesville on February 13.
