Buster "comfortable" after Classic blow
Last year's second pulls up in Sunderland heats bringing a superb career to a close
Roberts promises only the best for Buster
Bockos Buster, a multiple Category One finalist, is comfortable and will be operated on after breaking down in his heat of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic at Sunderland on Friday.
Having unleashed his trademark burst of early pace to take up the running into the first bend, the Savva Roberts-trained tracker was seemingly on his way to victory when injury occurred and he pulled up soon after.
“He was on his way to winning, I’m sure about that,” said Newcastle handler Roberts. “That was a good heat, full of good dogs, and he was leading them. That hurts, and it hurts him being such a superstar of a dog, but it looks a clean break of the hock. He’s good today, has been enjoying plenty of cuddles, and will make a full recovery.
“We’ll have a look at any stud possibilities but he’ll have the most fantastic home either way.
“As I say, Buster’s a star and that’s why it hurt so much when it happened. He was second in the Classic last year for Kevin (Boon) and, when I bought him from Graham (Box), it was always the intention to target the Classic. He's the perfect dog for that race.
"Anything before was always a bonus because Sunderland was the main aim.”
Runner-up to Santas Amigo in last year’s PGR Classic, Bockos Buster also reached the finals of the Yarmouth Derby behind Romeo Steel and the Arc Scurry Gold Cup at Dunstall Park and Arc National Sprint at Nottingham, both behind Shadow Storm.
This year, for Roberts, he made the Time Northern Flat Final at home track Newcastle behind Woltemade having been purchased by him after winning the Time Nutrition Sprint Trophy at Towcester on English Derby Final night.
For Roberts, Bockos Buster won races at Sheffield, Yarmouth and Sunderland. He is an August 23 son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Ariel and was bred by Liam Dowling.
