Murray Warren had a late start in greyhound racing and it was really by default, in fact it was only two years ago Murray found himself with two greyhound puppies and one is none other than Skyes Apprentice.
The black dog out of Magic Sprite and Mach Ten started a near undefeated run in April, which saw him win eight of nine races in his 20 start career in which he has accumulated over $30,000 in prize money.
Skyes Apprentice finds himself in his first country cup campaign on Friday night in the heats of the Group Two $67,000 Geelong Cup which is run over the 460 metre distance.
“I am pretty aware that I have been very lucky to have a dog like Skyes Apprentice in my first crack in greyhound racing, some people don’t get opportunities like this,” trainer Murray Warren explained.
It’s a tough ask for Skyes Apprentice, who finds himself up against a two-pronged attack from Jeff Britton with Shared Bonus and One For Me. Brooke Ennis and Anthony Azzopardi ensure the depth is well and truly present in the sixth heat of the Geelong Cup.
“I am still very new to the sport so I am not that familiar with the dogs we are coming up against but I am aware it isn’t going to be an easy task,” Murray continued.
“If he jumps in front which I know he is very capable of I think he is in with a good chance. He hasn’t had much luck with inside boxes so drawing box six isn’t the worst thing.”
“I think he is about two starts off his best at the moment, so the shorter journey will do him well. It would have been ideal if the Geelong Cup heats were two weeks later!”
Murray chose the Geelong Cup to kick off his first country cup campaign because it’s only a short 30-minute drive from his Point Lonsdale home. Skyes Apprentice, who is more causally known as Gus, is two starts into a return to racing following a fractured leg after having a little too much fun playing with his best friend Skye, a golden retriever (pictured).
Skye and Gus
“Gus is very much a pet! He lives in the backyard with Skye and even gets to come inside. The only thing I haven’t done yet is taken him camping and I am sure we will be doing that when he retires.”
“He is such a placid dog at home but when he gets to the track and hears the lure he switches on!”
Friday night Geelong play host to eight heats of the Geelong Cup, although a tough ask for Skyes Apprentice in the heats, if he makes it through to the Group Two feature he could possibly come up against the likes of Weekend Binge, Sleek Master, Bears Gold and It’s All Talk to name a few.