Egg Limelight ‘Too Early' For Gifted Superstar Ethics

SUPERSTAR Ethics takes on the heats of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night with trainer Peter Rodgers looking for back-to-back wins in the showpiece race.

But Peter is the first to admit it might be a year too early for Superstar Ethics (Bewildering-Snazzy Ethics) despite him declaring the young dog is better than last year's Golden Easter Egg winner Simply Limelight.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

Superstar Ethics has drawn box two in his heat of the Egg and comes into the race off a career of just 12 starts for five wins.

But 29.41 and 29.44 victories at his past two Wentworth Park starts, and recent record-breaking trials, has forced Peter's hand to give his dog the Egg chance.

Bred and owned by fellow trainer Dave Smith, Superstar Ethics is a “work in progress” says his trainer.

“He is a very angry dog, not at home where he is great, but when he gets to the track he has an edge about him, wanting to get on with things,” said Peter.

“But, once he gets over that, he will become a very good dog.”

Five weeks ago, Superstar Ethics trialled solo at Gosford in 28.81, inside Wow's track record of 28.88.

“When he was just 18 months old, he slipped from a back mark at Wenty in 15.75 and that was the best Simply Limelight ever ran there,” said Peter.

A superstar on the rise – and the Egg beckons! ⭐

Superstar Ethics wins the opener at Wentworth Park Greyhounds in a #PB 29.41!#thedogs #greyhoundracing #GEE #wentypark pic.twitter.com/suIRhNN8Gf

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 16, 2024

Simply Limelight (Kinloch Brae-Guiding Light) won 20 races and $489,000 for Peter during his career winning the Egg over Baby Jaycee and Custard Monelli.

“But he was beaten a head in the National Sprint, and slipped coming out of the boxes in the Match Race last year when beaten by Jay Is Jay,” said Peter.

“He was more than just that Egg win.”

Peter laments Superstar Ethics is too old to contest the Simply Limelight at Stud New Sensation series during the Egg carnival.

He says the dog has a box rise problem but he is hopeful he will fix that himself with more racing.

“He puts a foot on the lids,” he said. “So, when the lids go up, so does his foot.”

Immediate plans are for Superstar Ethics to head to Queensland for the upcoming Flying Amy Classic and then back for the Bob Payne Winter Stake.

Dave Smith bred the dog but he reports he had a semen for Superior Panama for the bitch.

“When she was about to be inseminated it appeared she might not be having a great season,” said Dave.

“It was decided we put her to Bewildering and use fresh AI. This litter is the result.”

Dave gave Superstar Ethics to Peter to rear, educate and when as a pup he started showing “super” ability, Peter told Dave “I was not getting him back.”

Peter reports Simply Limelight, standing at Sires On Ice, has been well supported at stud including a recent mating from the Hallinan kennel.