Off The Chart scores cup breakthrough

JASON ADAMS

A FLAWLESS display from Off The Chart has delivered Devon Meadows trainer Paul Presutto’s rising star the first major victory of his career, taking out last Saturday night’s Group 2 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup (450m).

The son of Hooked On Scotch and Peggy Lu ($3.40 favourite) flew out from box five and immediately put himself in the box seat.

He had a good duel with the speedy Sharapova Star ($4), however the mid-race weaponry of Off The Chart was too much to overcome.

Sharapova Star and Barooga Jim ($6) both made up ground late, but it wasn’t enough to reel in the brindle coloured rocket that is Off The Chart.

His winning time of 24.81 is flying – just over two lengths shy of the track record (24.66) held by Hotel Whisky One.

“He’s only got one speed, and that’s fast. The sections were brilliant and he made us all very proud,” Presutto said.

The win continues a stellar run for the Presutto family and the father–and–son ownership team of Mick and Darren Puleio.

The families have enjoyed a stack of success in recent months, also sharing the achievements of superstar stayer and multiple Group 1 winner Without A Trace.

“As a family we put in a lot of hard work at home,” Presutto said.

“To give them (owners) the rewards and satisfaction is great as they put a lot of trust in us.

“It makes me very proud.”

It has always felt like a matter of time before Off The Chart claimed this type of race.

His progression through the juvenile grades was swift and given his current flaw of not yet being able to run out a strong 500m at the metropolitan tracks, these country cups were going to be right up his alley.

He proved his readiness last month when runner–up to Dramatical in the Warragul Cup – form that was franked in powerful fashion when Dramatical captured the Australian Cup at The Meadows last week.

On Saturday night, Off The Chart went one better on the provincial stage.

Worth $40,000 to the winner, Off The Chart boosted his career earnings to $86,585, with 10 wins and four minor placings from 18 starts.

He will now be aimed at the Sportsbet Shepparton Cup.

Heats will be run this Monday (March 16) with the final on next Saturday.

Off The Chart will again be a force to be reckoned with.

Earlier in the night, the ‘International Women’s Day’ Grade 5 was ran with women handling all greyhounds in the field. It was won by the Ash Terry trained Analyzation in a fast time of 21.87.