Apap re-iterated his stance on just how good the dog’s last run was, where he showed the mental capacity as well as the physical.
“It sounds strange, but I actually like his fourth last start more than his wins,” he said.
“He was never going to win the race, but he didn’t care - he just loves running and to come home the way he did was a really good sign.
“I’ve had plenty of middle-distance dogs in my time and the way he runs his races that’ll be an option for him one day and he’ll be more than handy.”
Middle-distance plans are staying on the shelf for the moment as the dog faces his sternest test in the Ipswich Young Guns heats this Saturday night, but Apap is confident with a touch of luck he’ll take to Ipswich as he did Albion Park.
“We’re looking at the Young Guns heats at Ipswich for him on Saturday night, there’s not many restricted races on at the moment and the way he’s trialled at Ipswich we’d probably be mad not to have a go at it,” Apap said.
“The only worry for him at Ipswich is the shorter run to the first turn when he’s not brilliant early, but on the upside it’s probably a stronger 520 metres than Albion Park overall which is in his favour.
“If he can position himself around the first turn and be relatively handy, he’s a good chance to at least grab a finals spot.”
Cyclone Arrow was sent to Apap via prominent Victorian business owner Nick Koutsourakis, and both parties more than pleased with early results.
“I’d trained one dog for Nick and one of his mates in the past, but I know him more through his business which makes a lot of greyhound products in Victoria, he’s very switched on with all of that,” Apap said.
“We buy dry food off him and a few other items that have really helped our dogs and that’s really how I got to know him.
“He’s a busy man down there and wanted a fresh start with the dog who he thought had some ability and thankfully he sent him to me, and things are going well for both of us so far.”