Racing: Sergio out to repeat the Breakers success

Sergio and trainer Gary Harding will have an entire nation supporting them tonight. Photo / Supplied

Tirau greyhound owner and trainer Gary Harding admits to being a "bundle of nerves" as his charge Sergio takes on the might and power of Australia's elite greyhounds in the chase for the world's richest greyhound stake in the Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg final on Sydney's Wentworth Park tonight.

The winner of this group one 520m paw-wrestle will see the connections basking in the golden glow of an A$250,000 winning stake.

Sergio has been nothing short of amazing during his two-race campaign in just making his way into this final. He was involved in a sickening first-turn melee during his first-up heat race on Wentworth Park. He extracted himself from that to run third and therefore qualify for last Saturday's semifinal round.

However that scrap had left Sergio licking his wounds, physically and mentally.

As Harding said at the time, "He was a very sore puppy, with bruised ribs, swollen tendons and sore hind quarters, while he was understandably very much down in the dumps in himself."

During the intervening week, Harding worked tirelessly to patch up Sergio and added in visits to the surf in an attempt to mentally stimulate him. His pride-and-joy responded beautifully, and that translated into a sensational all-the-way Easter Egg semifinal victory.

Sergio thrashed his opposition when delivering his 29.94sec victory and by doing so earned his place in the rich final.

He will leap from the three-trap, a trap that Harding considers is okay for his charge.

"He just needs to come out with them, and then use his exceptional acceleration to boot up. It certainly will be race on if that occurs.

"He has thrived during this week. He's really well and he's back to his best condition and attitude wise like he was when we left home.

"He had a couple of niggles after the semi, but they have all been ironed out. "The others will know he's there and if he can gain just that little bit of early room I believe he can give them a shock."

* The final will be carried live on TAB TV and Radio Trackside.