Rockstar Image Blazes Lithgow Country Challenge Final

Bathurst’s best greyhound is well on the way to becoming New South Wales’ best greyhound after another dominating win in the Lithgow GRNSW Country Challenge Final, overcoming the difficult box five draw.

As we reported last week, trainer Nick Healey was adamant that Rockstar Image was “raring to go”. Despite the drawing the the five box Healey was not worried “in the slightest after winning the heat from the same box”.

And Rockstar Image did not let his supporters down, starting a $2.75 favourite he absolutely blazed through the final field, easily running 29.76 for the 506 metre journey and winning by a mere 6.75 lengths. The winning time was .7 of a second, or more than 10 lengths quicker than any other race on the program.

In winning Rockstar Image took his impressive record to ten wins from 15 starts with three minor placings, and took his prizemoney total to more than $12,000.

Rockstar Image is a red fawn dog by Big Daddy Cool out of the Solve The Puzzle bitch,Twisted Angel and is the current Bathurst track record holder for the 450 metre trip, running a sizzling 25.70 back in July 2008.

Rockstar Image’s story is all the more inspirational, as he owned and trained by father and son duo, Nick and Allan Healey. But the greyhound carries great sentiment for the family having initially been a gift for Allan’s wife and Nick’s mother, Anne.

Anne Healey sadly passed away back in November 2007 after a brief battle with cancer . Tragically Anne passed away the very day that Rockstar Image was to make made his racetrack debut.

Despite the tragedy the boys followed through with Anne’s wish to start Rockstar Image and after suffering early trouble the youngster staged a remarkable effort to salute sparking wild celebrations amid mixed emotions from the large contingent of family members in attendance as well as everyone else trackside who could not help but get caught up in the touching scenes.

After a brief setback though injury, Rockstar Image managed to put six wins end on end though July and August 2008, which is a great testament not only to the dog, but also to how well he is being placed and trained by the Healey family.

That run ended when Rockstar image made his way to Wentworth Park for two starts resulting in a a second and a fourth after missing the start on both occasions. After a brief let up, Rockstar Image has since started three times for three wins.

Hopefully we will see Rockstar Image return to Wentworth Park soon and resume his campaign to become New South Wales best greyhound.

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Allan Healey, Big Daddy Cool, GRNSW, GRNSW Country Challenge Series, Nick Healey, Rockstar Image, Solve The Puzzle, Twisted Angel, Wentworth Park

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