Smokey's Stunning Warrnambool Cup Success

ZAMBORA Smokey announced himself as a budding megastar of Australian greyhound racing with a spectacular victory in Wednesday night's Group 2 Warrnambool Cup Final (450m).

And in annexing the group 2 title the prodigious talent emulated the deeds of his sire Zambora Brockie, winner of the race for owner Charlie Azzopardi in 2016.

Billed as a race in two between superstar Simon Told Helen and rising young gun Zambora Smokey, Wednesday night's final promised to be an epic, with little separating the pair in betting.

And it was. Delivering on the hype and then some.

Beginning brilliantly from box two, Zambora Smokey charged through the opening two sections with searing speed while Simon Told Helen was camped on his hammer following just a moderate getaway.

And after streaking away from their rivals in the middle stages, the two slugged it out down the Warrnambool straight, with Zambora Smokey scoring by a length in a blinding 24.79.

The winner was simply awesome. The runner-up was brave.

One gets the feeling it won't be the last time we see them fighting out a feature final either.

Trained by Jason Thompson, delivering the Pearcedale conditioner a fifth Warrnambool Cup success, Zambora Smokey's devastating cup victory extended his record to 12 wins from 16 appearances.

He's won his past eight on end and in an ominous sign for his rivals is only getting better.

The just turned two-year old is from the remarkable Zambora Brockie x Zambora Cross litter, now responsible for 33 wins from their 72 starts at a winning strike-rate of 45%.

Meanwhile, on a big night for Jason Thompson, champion sprinter Hooked On Scotch made a successful return to racing in the Stan Lake Memorial (450m).

Returning to the track for the first time since January, the five-time group winning son of Barcia Bale got the job done in 24.95, his class kicking in late to defeat a gallant Speed Star.

It's now full steam ahead to next week's Group 1 Harrison-Dawson heats for the superstar galloper where he's sure to take immense benefit from the hit-out under race conditions.