Greyhound friendship Tattooed over decades

By Jordan Gerrans

Group 1 dog man Anthony Azzopardi has turned to an old mate in Robert Cooke as they chase elite-level glory once again in the time-honoured Flying Amy Classic on Thursday evening.

The Azzopardi-prepared Tattooed was a stylish heat winner last Thursday evening at headquarters and the brindle chaser has remained on the Northern Rivers of the NSW for the week with trainer Cooke.

Azzopardi and Cooke are old mates from their days living and racing dogs near each other around Sydney.

The partnership has enjoyed success with this method when Aston Titan claimed a Group 3 Casino Cup Final a couple of years ago.

Victorian trainer Azzopardi says Tattooed might do it tough from the five on Thursday night but there is no better man he would like to look after his promising chaser.

Tattooed is a $6 chance as of Tuesday afternoon. 

“We have had a long history and we are very close friends,” Azzopardi said of Cooke. 

“He is like a brother to me.

“I love him, he is a really great bloke and his wife Tammy is great, as well.”

Azzopardi often heads north for a holiday with the Cooke family as well as their greyhound interests.

Veteran conditioner Cooke is based just outside of Casino and was full of praise of the young dog’s 29.88 second performance last Thursday in the heat.

“That was a very good run. I have watched him all of his career to date and do have a high opinion of him,” Cooke said.

“He is through to the Final and if he repeats that, well you never know.

“He is a great dog to have in the kennel, so quiet. But, when it is race time, he is all business.”

Tattooed raced at Group level in Victoria before coming north, finishing third in the Temora Cup Final back in March.

From 24 career starts Tattooed has only missed the money on five occasions for nine victories.

Leading trainer Azzopardi always had high hopes for the son of Fernando Bale from an early age and has long planned to compete in the Flying Amy series trough the 2024 Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.

The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer will be in Brisbane for Thursday’s prestigious decider at Albion Park.

“I was very pleased with his run in the heats after he finally drew a box,” the trainer said.

“When he draws the inside, that is when he excels.

“He can start that fast whenever he draws one to five, that is how he begins, but from the outside, he struggles to have that little bit of extra pace just to get by.

“He has won from the outside before but in a lower grade race.”

Tattooed will commence from the five alley on Thursday night, a draw Azzopardi described as 'not ideal'.

The trainer believes Tony Brett’s visiting pair – Pronouns (seven) and Lakeview Emily (eight) – being drawn outside of Tattooed is an advantage.

Lakeview Emily posted the quickest Flying Amy heat time (29.72 seconds) last week. 

“The seven and eight for the Final were very impressive in their heats,” Azzopardi said.

“If we can hold the seven out, I am glad they have drawn out wide as that gives us a little bit more of a chance.

“The eight is a really good bitch, as well. Hopefully we can hold them out.

“If those two were drawn the inside, then I would think they would be the ones to beat.”

Craig Chappelow's Overflow Beau is the $3.20 favourite for the Group 1 age-restricted event on Thursday evening. 

If all goes to plan with Tattooed, the dog is likely to remain in the Sunshine State for the show-piece $1 million Brisbane Cup later in the carnival.

Azzopardi was initially keen to bring up as many as six dogs for the carnival but is likely to only have a small team.

Pass The Buck – who has qualified for two Group Finals – was set to join Tattooed in Queensland but will not make the trip with an injury holding him back.

Azzopardi’s Myrniong Stitch will go around at Grafton on Tuesday and may come north for the carnival, as well.