Trainer and breeder Andrew Rowe aims to replicate a career milestone this Friday, as his home-bred greyhound Taw Galaxy targets consecutive victories in the Group 2 Goulburn Cup at Goulburn, New South Wales. Taw Galaxy secured his place in the $50,000-to-the-winner final with a heat win in 24.42 seconds—the exact time he clocked to claim last year’s Goulburn Cup title.

This weekend’s final holds personal significance for Rowe, who last year celebrated the triumph of Taw Galaxy at the same event. The greyhound’s sire, Wow, also achieved back-to-back Goulburn Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, a feat that Rowe hopes his son can emulate.

“To reach the final again is a big achievement, and winning back-to-back would be very special,” Rowe said. “He’s pretty consistent at running that 10.90-second section or a little bit better, which really sets him up for the race.”

Rowe and his wife Deb will also have interest in the Fireball final, a 350-meter race held alongside the Goulburn Cup on Friday night. Their runner, Taw Mystique, will start from box three in the $25,000-to-the-winner short-course event. Rowe described having two dogs competing in finals on Goulburn’s main racing day as a significant accomplishment for their team.

Meanwhile, the Goulburn Cup field is headed in betting by Victorian entrant Canya Excite Me, prepared by two-time Goulburn Cup winner Anthony Azzopardi. Starting from box six, Canya Excite Me is the favorite at $1.90 following a near-record heat win of 24.18 seconds.

Taw Galaxy, drawn in box two, enters the final as the second favorite at $5. The greyhound has recently shown strong form in high-profile races, including the Million Dollar Chase (MDC). Rowe reflected on Taw Galaxy’s close defeats in the MDC semi-final—where his dog led until close to the finish before being passed by Shaq Keeping—and the MDC Silver final, where he posted an exceptional performance but was narrowly beaten by Victorian competitor Storm Hustler.

“In the Million Dollar Chase semi, I thought he had it,” Rowe commented. “We were so close to being there. Then in the Silver final he ran the race of his life but just had the wrong dog behind him down the back.”

The upcoming Goulburn Cup final presents an opportunity for Taw Galaxy to add another prestigious win to his record and to build on his sire's legacy at the venue where he was bred and trained. The race will test his consistency and resilience as he seeks to capture back-to-back titles in his hometown.