Ballarat regional greyhound trainer Anthony Azzopardi has achieved just about everything greyhound racing has to offer since moving to Victoria in 2016.
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He celebrated another major accolade on Sunday night when Whiskey Riot was named 2019-20 Victorian greyhound of the year.
Azzopardi relocated from NSW to test himself in Australia's biggest greyhound racinghub and says the depth of competition makes Melbourne Cup hero Whiskey Riot's achievement even more satisfying.
"It's quite an achievement by the dog," the Rowsley-based Azzopardi said.
"The best dogs are down here in Victoria - it's very hard racing - and to have a top dog to win this, you've got to be mighty proud."
Azzopardi's sense of pride was echoed by owner-breeder Sandra Camden-Bermingham.
"We were just blown away; to be honest I'm even tearing up now," she said.
A son of 2015-16 Victorian greyhound of the year and hall of fame inductee Fernando Bale, Whiskey Riot won 11 of his 24 starts from July 1 last year to June 30.
The undisputed highlight came in the Melbourne Cup, while he was a two-time winner at group 1 level, also defeating the best sprinters in the land in the Temlee invitational.
Two wins and seven minor placings from 10 appearances in group finals underlined Whiskey Riot's consistency at the elite level, but there was absolutely no doubt about his standout moment arriving on the sport's greatest stage, Melbourne Cup night.
"Most definitely," Azzopardi said.
"It's the greatest race in the world. It's one of those races everybody aims for and I'm very proud he won it, especially this dog. I'm very close to the dog and for him to win a Melbourne Cup he's certainly fulfilled my dreams."
Whiskey Riot was retired in April.on a winning at Sandown, fittingly the scene of his career-defining Melbourne Cup triumph.
"It was a hard decision but I was relieved. It was a hard decision but I was relieved," Azzopardi said.
"I think he deserved to go out as a winner."