PROUD OWNERS: Peter Rocket was victorious in Saturday night's Wimmera Mail-Times Horsham Greyhound Cup at Horsham Showground. The dashing greyhound is pictured with owners Lisa and Keith Hellmuth. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
IT was a case of 'rocket by name, rocket by nature' at Horsham Showground on Saturday night, with Peter Rocket flying home to win the 2013 Wimmera Mail-Times Horsham Greyhound Cup.
In its 28th start, the two-year-old edged out Nitro Cee by just over a length to claim the $52,000 purse and effectively double its career prizemoney to more than $114,000.
See pictures from the Horsham Greyhound Cup
Owners Lisa and Keith Hellmuth of Pearcedale were delighted with the result and described it as their best ever win.
"We knew if he could get a clear run and a break, he could come out on top," Mr Hellmuth said.
"We knew we had a chance, it was a fairly open field and anyone could win it.
"This is by far the best win we've ever had."
It has been a remarkable change in fortunes for Peter Rocket, which did not race for more than three months after suffering a muscle injury in September.
Originally a reserve in Horsham's biggest greyhound race, runner-up Nitro Cee was a late replacement for Proven Maddy, which was scratched after sustaining a triangle muscle injury.
One of the pre-race favourites, Bubba's Dream, rounded out the placings.
Horsham Greyhound Club manager Justin Brilliant said it was a fantastic night on and off the track, with almost 1100 race-goers flocking to Horsham Showground - up 300 on last year.
"We had a great attendance, with numbers up from last year, which shows the future of greyhound racing in Horsham is bright," he said.
"It was great to see Mayor David Grimble and Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty in attendance."
