Juan Back Where He Broke The Internet

By Jeff Collerson
Good Juan, whose amazing last-to-first win over 520m at Wentworth Park on June 27 was among the most watched videos of 2020, is back with trainer Harry Sarkis.

The enigmatic but immensely talented Good Juan won over 731m at Angle Park on January 7 before finishing fourth there a week later.

His Adelaide races followed a disappointing campaign in Victoria where Good Juan was placed in just one of six races.

Good Juan, who was purchased for $120,000 by Victorian-based owners and transferred to Sarkis' Hunter Valley kennels early last year, won over 720m at Wentworth Park in a fast 41.96 in August.

But it was the dog's 520m win in a slick 29.95 in June, when he gave the leaders 20 lengths' start at the half-way mark, which caused a sensation on the internet.

Things went awry when Good Juan was suspended for a month for failing to chase keenly when third over 720m at Wentworth Park on October 9 and was sent to Victorian trainer Darren Fisher.

"The dog is back with me and I'm hopeful I can get him back on track,'' Sarkis said.

"But Good Juan won't be racing until I am satisfied he is going well again.''

Good Juan, who turns three tomorrow, has had just 35 starts for 12 wins, eight seconds and two thirds.

Stanley Road's owner Eddie Kingswell heaped praise on the dog's trainer Mark Gatt after his greyhound qualified for Saturday night's group 2 Summer Distance Plate.

Desperate railer Stanley Road drew box seven in Saturday night's second heat of the 720m Plate at Wentworth Park and came from a long way back to finish second, beaten a half head, by Victoria's Run Like Jess in a fast 41.91sec.

After the race Kingswell produced a photograph of Stanley Road's foot, which clearly displayed a "red raw'' pad.

"That was taken after Stanley Road finished fourth at Wenty 10 days ago,'' Kingswell said.

"How Mark Gatt not only got Stanley Road back in time for this race but also produced him fit enough to almost win in fast time, is remarkable.

"As far as I'm concerned, Gatty is a genius.''


Fire On Ice will tackle the heats of the listed Bathurst Cup on February 1 following her return to form at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

In heat two of the Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder, Fire On Ice outgunned the mighty Wow to the first turn, posting a dazzling first split of 5.32, and was close up behind the champ on the back straight.

Having only her second start since a seasonal spell, Fire On Ice faded to finish a creditable fifth, recording a slick 29.86 in the process.

"Bitches from my breeding line invariably improve once they have had a seasonal spell so I'm expecting big things of Fire On Ice this preparation,'' trainer Mark Moroney said.

"There are some good races for her as after the Bathurst Cup series there are heats of the group 2 Richmond Oaks on February 26.''

Bathurst invariably favours front-runners so the Cup there looks an ideal event for Fire On Ice.