By MATT NICHOLLS
IN-FORM greyhound Yo Cool Maxie has his sights set on the Armidale Cup after breaking an 11-year track record on Saturday.
The Moonbi-trained speedster made it six wins in a row when he lit up the Armidale track from box three to win the Free For All (365m) by eight-and-a-quarter lengths.
In the process, Yo Cool Maxie stopped the clock at 20.58, three-hundreths of a second quicker than the previous track record over the distance.
Roz Evans, wife of trainer Barry, said it was likely their kennel star would now be aimed for the Armidale Cup on 15 February, with heats of the feature race to be held this Saturday.
“It’s going to be a test to go from 365m to 520m, but he is in great form at the moment,” she said.
“He’s won over the distance at Wentworth Park before, but he’s getting on in years now so we’ll have to see.”
Yo Cool Maxie’s win on Saturday was his 25th from 87 starts, which includes 25 placings.
“He’s been a very good dog for us and the key to him is he’s always been very healthy and sound,” Mrs Evans said.
“To hold two track records is a great achievement.”
Yo Cool Maxie also holds the Gunnedah 347-metre record, a feat that won’t be broken as the club is now converting its grass track to sand.
The four-year-old was one of six pups in his litter and all of them went on to be TAB-track winners.
Little Ed, also trained by Evans, was the most successful, even though his career was shorter.
“He has gone to stud now, but we are hoping that the success of Yo Cool Maxie drives his value up a little bit,” Mrs Evans said.
Heats of the Armidale Cup are the feature at this Saturday’s meeting, with the first race scheduled to jump at 1pm.
