Ascend Geranium may have surprised punters with his heat win at Sale on Sunday night, but for parts of Team Whelan, the result felt anything but unexpected.
The emerging stayer has secured his place in Saturday night’s Group 1 TRFM Sale Cup, delivering a breakthrough performance for Metung-based trainer Harley Whelan.
“My brother had been saying all week that he thought Ascend Geranium would win – he just couldn’t say why,” Whelan said.
Ascend Geranium (2) wins a heat of the Group 1 TRFM Sale Cup.
Team Whelan are no strangers to Group-race success, having built a reputation for breeding and racing their own greyhounds, including stars such as Lakeview Emily and Lakeview Walter.
Ascend Geranium joined the kennel in July after owners Korie Heinrich and Josh Formosa reached out to see if Whelan had a spare kennel for a lightly raced youngster.
“Josh said he’d just purchased a young dog he thought had real ability, but didn’t have the room to train him,” Whelan said.
“He told me he felt the dog would get out to 600 metres and beyond, so we decided to give him a go and see what happened.”
Since arriving at the kennel, Ascend Geranium has had 20 starts under Whelan for five wins.
He began his middle-distance career at Sandown Park with a second placing and, while his record over the middle trips initially included just one win from eight starts, recent runs suggested he was trending in the right direction.
“His last couple of runs showed us he was going well,” Whelan said.
“I think 600 metres is his distance at the moment, but he’s still young and we’re hoping in time he can get to the 700 and run it out even stronger.”
Ascend Geranium has had one start over the 700-metre journey at Sandown Park, where he led before tiring late to finish fourth.
Saturday night’s Sale Cup will be run on Whelan’s home track, just over an hour from Metung – a rare luxury compared to the four-plus-hour trips the team often face.
“It would be very special to win the race,” Whelan said.
“It’s a race we’d love to win one day, and I think every trainer dreams of winning their hometown cup.”
Ascend Geranium will jump from box four in the Group 1 final.
“I think he’d need to lead and have a bit of trouble behind him to win,” Whelan said.
“But I’d be very happy if he could run a place.”
With a Sale Cup field stacked with talent – including multiple Group 1 winner Without A Trace and The Meadows 600-metre track record holder Caco Magic – Whelan is simply enjoying the spectacle.
“I love this time of year, watching the stayers come to Sale.”