In 2022, Mr. America was the shooting star of the NSW straight track season.
17 wins included a nine-race unbeaten streak at Richmond, a new track record of 17.11 at the same venue, and a comfortable victory in July’s Straight Of Origin at Capalaba.
He won over $100,00 in prizemoney and ran for the last Time in September, leaving many pundits wondering when they would see a sustained period of success like that again.
Mr. America in full flight during the 2022 Straight Of Origin at Capalaba
Well, less than six-months later, Mr. America’s trainer Darren Sultana, and his owners Terry Hill and George Fairouz have already crowned a new king.
Shall Not is currently riding a ten-win tear – the most consecutive victories of any greyhound in the country in 2023.
And he doesn’t look like slowing down anyTime soon.
“Mr America won nine in a row but Shall Not has come over from South Australia and won 10 straight now with eight best of day Times. He’s only been beaten once in NSW and he should have romped in that day too,” Hill said.
“He was a good dog in Adelaide and broke in the best out of the litter, but he had a setback. We brought him over to NSW and he trialled Well and has always gone sensational up the straight. He goes around at silly prices now so just get your backside trackside to watch him go because you can’t back him anymore,” Hill added.
A black dog out of Hillary by Barcia Bale, Shall Not is a litter brother to Group 2 placegetter Came And Went and multiple Group 3 finalist She’s A Hotshot.
He is also a half-brother to Group 1 winner Golden Knight, and in 41 race starts he has 25 wins with nine placings.
His recent success further enhancing Sultana’s status as one of the State’s best trainers, according to Hill.
“Darren does a lot of work with our dogs, and he’s done a great job. I feel very comfortable sending them to him because he’s really on top of his game. He might not get a lot of mentions or wraps at Times but he’s a dog man and I’m happy to give him whatever I’ve got,” Hill said.
Darren Sultana with NSW National Straight Track Championship quinella Mr. America (L) and Extra Specialism (R)
Sultana chuffed with the praise, but quick to point out the dog did arrive in his kennel in pretty good form.
“He had already won 15 of 30 over in SA and you don’t win 50% of your races if you’re no good, so I knew he had ability. When George [Fairouz] told me I had to take him and Came And Went together, it was easy to say yes,” Sultana said.
“The more I put him up the straight at Richmond the more he kept finding and finding and now he’s won 10 in a row. He’s just a good race dog. He begins, he jumps, he shows a bit of pace, he’s strong and we’ve had some lucky breaks go his way,” he said.
“I just want to keep the owners happy, and while he’s winning, they have been very happy. Terry and George have always let me do my thing and I appreciate that. At the end of the day, no one will remember what he did a month ago if he gets beaten tomorrow. I’ll just let the dog do the talking and I’ll just drive him around wherever he needs to go,” he added.
So how does the current run of Shall Not compare to that of Mr. America 12-months ago?
“Time wise, most of Mr. America’s racing was done when the track was heavy, so he was going 17.4’s. Then when he finally had a good track, he broke the record and went 17.11. Shall Not is running 17.2’s frequently but it’s not as wet as it was last year so it’s a bit hard to compare,” Sultana said.
The team now eyeing off back-to-back Straight Of Origin crowns, with Shall Not set to take his winning streak North in an attempt to emulate the feats of Mr. America.
Shall Not’s success further igniting Hill’s love affair with straight track racing.
“Some dogs can go around two turns, some go one turn, some go straight. Straight racing is an art and a lot of dogs can’t go up the straight, it’s specialised racing. If anything I think we need more feature racing up the straight,” Hill said.
“I remember 30 years ago when they at raced at Appin on Saturday arvo and then they’d go to Harold Park that night. It was the best day of racing you have ever seen and we should bring it back. There’s always a home for straight track racing so we’ve got to keep embracing and supporting it,” he added.
The 2023 Straight Of Origin Invitational will be held at Capalaba on Sunday, June 18.
The race is worth $40,000-to-the-winner and will feature four selected representatives from NSW and QLD. The NSW contingent will be selected by a panel of experts and be announced on Monday, June 5.
