By Andrew Copley
Young gun Aston Bintang won the 2019 Waterloo Cup today, giving trainer Paul Abela his biggest thrill in greyhound racing.
Just 19 months of age, Aston Bintang (Barcia Bale x Fantastic Dotty), bred in SA by Ray Borda, is one of the youngest ever winners of the Waterloo Cup, which is Victoria’s oldest greyhound race.
Abela has made numerous group finals all over Australia in recent years, but winning the Waterloo Cup is his finest moment in the sport.
“I’ve made a lot of big finals but I haven’t won one. We haven’t even run a place.”
“But this means a lot, and to be honest I didn’t realise how much this race means to people until this weekend,” he said.
Aston Bintang has coursed once prior to the weekend, taking out a Puppy series at Lang Lang. With the 2019 coursing season now done and dusted, Abela is looking at other options for his young star, who has had four starts on the circle for one win and two minor placings.
“Some people might be annoyed that I’m new to coursing and I’ve won a Waterloo Cup, but people have been so welcoming across the two days and I’ll definitely be back,” Abela said.
Abela is now considering entering Aston Bintang for next Sunday’s Healesville Cup heats, where he gains automatic entry after winning the Waterloo Cup.
WATCH: 2019 Waterloo Cup Final
