NAMBEELUP trainer Paul Stuart engineered one of the biggest upsets in greyhound racing history when his greyhound Rockstar Patriot defeated raging favourite Tornado Tears in the Group 1 Galaxy (715m) at Cannington on Saturday.
The all-conquering Tornado Tears, one of the best stayers this country has ever seen, looked to have the race at his mercy after he broke the track record to win by 18 lengths his heat the week prior.
Locals impress at Mandurah Bodyboard titles
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWRockstar Patriot, on the other hand, had scraped into the final after running third in his heat and before the final Stuart joked that he hoped that his greyhound wouldn’t get lapped by Tornado Tears.
When the lids flipped open, however, all the pre-race calculations were torn to pieces as Tornado Tears was squeezed between two greyhounds and pushed to the rear of the field, while Rockstar Patriot was able to land with the leading group.
Rockingham Mandurah make grand final
After harassing the front-running Bee Dee through the early stages, Rockstar Patriot edged to the front as they approached the final turn and then kicked away.
The Galaxy result was Rockstar Patriot’s 11th victory from 58 starts.