Crash Bandicoot provided Myrniong trainer Anthony Azzopardi with a prized group 1 success on Saturday night.
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![ALL SMILES: Anthony Azzopardi, pictured with Zambora Brockie after winning last year's Ballarat Cup, claimed group 1 glory on Saturday night. ALL SMILES: Anthony Azzopardi, pictured with Zambora Brockie after winning last year's Ballarat Cup, claimed group 1 glory on Saturday night.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fPp9fXhmaMgXMu95r5rLmA/260c0ae4-672a-490d-a344-44a82209a092.jpg/r100_0_2456_1664_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The two-year-old chaser claimed a brilliant success in the Vic Peters Classic at Sydney’s Wentworth Park.
After drawing box six for the final, Crash Bandicoot jumped fairly and settled midfield before burrowing to the rail approaching the home turn. The dog then powered clear for a two-and-a-quarter length victory.
Azzopardi’s charge beat runner-up Chasin’ Crackers and third-placed Allonsy Grace.
Saturday night’s win was the second Vic Peters Classic triumph inside three years for Azzopardi, who used to train in New South Wales. He won the group 1 final in 2015 with Zambora Brockie, who went on to claim the Ballarat Cup in 2016.
On top of the $75,000 first prize, Crash Bandicoot now has ballot exemption from the Melbourne Cup heats.
Crash Bandicoot has had a total of 26 career starts for 11 wins.
This year’s Ballarat Cup heats will be run on Saturday, December 2 and the final on Saturday, December 9.