CHARMER LODGE NEWS

FEBRUARY 2009

26 Feb, 2009. KATHY'S Recall's chances of running in next week's Winged Runner Trophy at Albion Park will be decided within the next few days. Owner-trainer Margaret Quarrell could not help but be impressed by the daughter of Hallucinate-Kathie's Memory's brilliant 600m 4th-5th Grade win on Thursday night at Albion Park. She led throughout to win by five and a quarter lengths in 35.05 beating Cee Clay with a length and a quarter to Manhattan in third. "I don't really like dropping them back so quickly," said Margaret. "I will sleep on it for a couple of days and make up my mind on Monday morning before nominations are due." Kathy's Recall is unbeaten in two starts over 600m. "Her confidence is sky high at the moment and I don't want to do anything to upset that," she said. Kathy's Recall took her record to 15 wins and 10 of those have been at Albion Park with her victory on Thursday night. She is already a sub 30-second winner over 520m at headquarters. "There are a few good 600m races coming up at Albion Park in the next few months and that will suit her as well," said Margaret. "But eventually she will get over 710 metres." Margaret is not sure she wants to step her up to that distance for some time. Dam Kathie's Memory is due to whelp a litter of pups to Black Enforcer on Saturday night.

FEBRUARY 2009

Courtesy GRNSW website Lilley Steals The Trophy Down South Written by: Johnny Aitken 02/03/09 Group One New South Wales electric staying bitch Lilley Criminal (Hallucinate x Que Dee Tee) overcame a mixed heat run to lead throughout in the $50,000 to the winner Group One Australian Stayers Trophy over 725 metres at The Meadows on Saturday night. With trainer Anthony Azzopardi still buzzing over Excel Like Time’s win in the Group Three Wollongong City Council Cup at Dapto on Thursday night, his kennel star was out to prove she wasn’t a spent force on Saturday night. The knockers were circling and a new breed of stayer in Forty Twenty announced his intentions on Friday night when equalling the Richmond 717 metre track record, that he wanted to be known as the number one stayer in New South Wales. The race was pitted as a Lilley Criminal versus Gunnadoo Magic affair with Sirocco Hero the only other runner under double figures as a huge audience welcomed the runners on to the track. Jumping straight to the lead, Lilley Criminal was never headed and looked bound for victory with one lap to go as Gunnadoo Magic became tangled near the rear of the field. It was to be Lilley Criminal’s night as she extended off the home bend to romp home by over six lengths in 42.63 seconds. The win took her career earnings to an incredible $192,000 and gave her owners, the Bigger Than Life syndicate, their second Group One success after she claimed the Association Cup at Wentworth Park in January. Azzopardi will now give her a week off before trekking west for the Group One Galaxy in Perth, with $80,000 on offer to the winner of the race and a chance for her third Group One win in 2009.

FEBRUARY 2009

Courtesy GRNSW website Is the Derby already branded Written by: Johnny Aitken 25/02/09 Running down Repeated (Hallucinate x Thai Again) in near record time in last week’s heats, Branded (Over Flo x Dos Santos) will be looking to make it hat trick of wins at Richmond with the Group Two World 4 Pets Richmond Derby firmly in his sights this Friday night over 535 metres. With only two heats run of the series, the top four qualifiers from each heat made it through to the final and the quality on offer couldn’t be higher. All the big names are there with brothers Thai Alert (Hallucinate x Thai Again) and Repeated while Jason Mackay’s dynamic duo Ticabond and Snozz certainly command plenty of attention. Branded’s heat win in 30.43 seconds was near Western Land’s track record and was phenomenal considering the start he gave the powerhouse Repeated. In the other heat, Thai Alert led all the way with Snozz a dashing third after finding early trouble. The box draw looks to have played into the hands of Sid Swain’s Cool Flight who can lead the inside division and provide plenty of cheek. Thai Alert should get the run of the race, thanks to Snozz being boxed on his inside, with the Richard Dean trained dog looking to claim Group victory for the first time. Group Two World 4 Pets Richmond Derby Final 535 metres - $25,000 to the winner BOX ONE TICABOND Heat: 4th running 30.80 seconds, beaten by Branded, Repeated and Cool Flight Faces his acid test tonight and with an inferior start to his rivals, he will have his work cut out trying to make an impression from the back of the field. BOX TWO COOL FLIGHT Heat: 3rd running 30.63 seconds, beaten by Branded and Repeated Enigmatic sprinter who is capable of delivering the knockout blow here and will give plenty of cheek on the speed. BOX THREE BULUI TULUMI Heat: 2nd running 30.88 seconds, beaten by Thai Alert Ran the race of her life last start but looks out of her depth here in this elite field, prefer to watch. BOX FOUR BRANDED Heat: 1st running 30.43 seconds, beating Repeated by half a length Has put in two amazing runs here of late with his heat win something to behold after running down Repeated in sizzling time. Needs some luck in running but will fly home. BOX FIVE SNOZZ Heat: 3rd running 30.90 seconds, beaten by Thai Alert and Bului Tulumi Hardened Group class sprinter who is no stranger to big races having already competed in three Group One final’s. Box is a concern but is as consistent as they come and will be thereabouts at the end. BOX SIX THAI ALERT Heat: 1st running 30.65 seconds, beating Bului Tulumi by 3.25 lengths Big black dog who jumped on the bunny and was untroubled in his heat. Should get clear room with railer Snozz under him and will be hard to stop if he leads. BOX SEVEN MUTT LANGE Heat: 4th running 30.94 seconds, beaten by Thai Alert, Bului Tulumi and Snozz Continues to deliver with every challenge thrown at him by trainer Paul Stuart but has yet to win here and will be hard pressed doing so in a group final. BOX EIGHT REPEATED Heat: 2nd running 30.47 seconds, beaten by Branded Looked set for victory before being claimed late by a flying Branded in his heat last week. Will make a direct route for the fence and warrants plenty of respect. 1st EMERGENCY ZEN CHI BLUE Heat: 5th running 30.98 seconds, beaten by Branded, Repeated and co. Hit or miss beginner who never threatened in his heat and looks tested against some of these elite sprinters. 2nd EMERGENCY AWESOME HUSTLER Heat: 5th running 31.09 seconds, beaten by Thai Alert, Bului Tulumi and co. Has already tasted group success but is better noted over one turn distances. Needs an inside box to figure if he sneaks into the field. Johnny Aitken’s Selections Thai Alert Cool Flight Repeated

FEBRUARY 2009

Sensational Boxer aims high Courtesy GRAQ website 19 Feb, 2009. GREG Brennan is a conservative person by nature, but he is ready to lash out with his star galloper Shadow Boxer. The son of Hallucinate-In My Dreams has just about forced Greg into an ambitious next few months. That was after he ran a sensational 41.72 to win a 710m 5th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night, the seventh fastest ever run. He scored by 12 and three-quarter lengths over Bikini Beach with a length and a quarter to Killough Orchid in third. It was a much more upbeat Brennan this week than when Shadow Boxer made his debut over 710m two weeks ago. Drawn the rails, on that occasion, Shadow Boxer was squeezed up early but still flashed home for second to Lady Moscato. Drawn perfectly this week, Shadow Boxer began brilliantly and was always going to win ... and win impressively. And that he certainly did. He was in front at the winning post the first time and then cleared right away to win in 41.72. Miss Brook holds the track record at 41.59 but she was already a seasoned stayer when she ran that record. Shadow Boxer is also the third fastest ever over 600m at Albion Park. Brennan wants to keep coming back to Albion Park for 710m races to get his dog seasoned. "Then I'm looking at taking him to Perth for the Group 1 Galaxy," he said. "The race will be run next month during the Perth Cup carnival. "I'd like to have him more seasoned before that, but it looks a nice race for him." Shadow Boxer has the remarkable record of 10 wins from 21 starts and has been placed eight times. "He's a freak, but he's a freak with a quirk," said Greg. He said the dog had suffered from his debut run over 710m. "It stressed him out and he needed a good week to recover from that first run over the distance," he said. The time did not surprise Brennan. "He had to be able to run that sort of time going on what he can run over 520m and 600m," he said. No one ever doubted that.

FEBRUARY 2009

Sleek Jim and a marvellous dog Courtesy GRAQ website 19 Feb, 2009. HE'S had more good dogs than most, but Jim Conlon was high in praise after Sleek And Smart had won a 520m Best 8 at Albion Park on Thursday night. Sleek And Smart (History Lesson-Sleek Model) proved far too strong for Lucky Alive to win by three and a quarter lengths in 30.25. Eskimo Dancer was third two and a quarter lengths away. It was Sleek And Smart's 20th win in 51 starts and his 12th at Albion Park. "He's a marvellous dog," said Jim. "He will be four in June and he's racing as good as ever." Conlon has been patient with Sleek And Smart allowing a bone problem in his front legs to heal when the dog was younger. "It's no problem at all now and I'm not worried by racing four-year-old dogs," he said. "He likes to race and the both of us enjoy each other's company." Conlon bought Sleek And Smart as a 10-month-old pup for $5000 and he has now earned $40,000. "I've had to be patient with him but it has paid off." Conlon has been at his new Beachmere property for only the past couple of months. "I've been racing only five weeks from the new place and it has been lucky," he said. His first runner, Beachmere Bound, was a winner at Albion Park out of the new property. Lucky Alive flew out and led clearly into the back straight but he was always under sufferance when Sleek And Smart loomed up at the 600m boxes. The winner is a noted powerful finisher and he proved too strong once again. The dog is also handling wide box draws much better these days.

FEBRUARY 2009

New Millennium for Greg Courtesy GRAQ website 17 Feb, 2009. THERE was a decided bounce in Greg Brennan's step at Albion Park on Monday night. It had something to do with Millennium's brilliant 29.98 victory in a 520m 5th Grade at the track. It was the first sub 30-second winner at Albion Park for Brennan in his short professional training career. The daughter of Hallucinate-In My Dreams was brilliant in beating last Thursday night's Young Guns winner Ryan's A Rocket and Heza Surfer. It was her eight win and the bitch had already shown her outstanding ability with a 30.37 victory around Ipswich late last year. "I just love these Hallucinates," said Brennan. Millennium is a litter sister to Brennan's star galloper Shadow Boxer who has already run the third fastest ever over 600m at Albion Park. He also gets his chance to break through over 710m in a 5th Grade at headquarters on Thursday night.

FEBRUARY 2009

Distance rise to suit Kathy Courtesy GRAQ website 16 Feb, 2009. SUB-30 second Albion Park winner Kathy's Recall steps up to 600m at headquarters on Thursday night and trainer Margaret Quarrell expects her to go close to winning. The daughter of Hallucinate-Kathy's Memory runs in a 600m 5th Grade and comes up against handy middle distance performers Texas Ranger, Uno Play Boy and Intrepid Force. And Quarrell will insist the bitch be given a pre-race preview to make sure she jumps brilliantly. "She missed the preview last week, but I want her to have that this week," said Quarrell. Kathy's Recall has won in 29.96 a few weeks ago at Albion Park the first sub 30-second winner there for Quarrell in her long but highly successful training career. "I was going to step this bitch up to 600 metres a few weeks ago," she said. "But when she ran the 29.96 I decided to giver her a chance in a few feature races that were coming up. "She's had no luck lately from bad boxes and missed the start terribly last week. That's why I want her to be previewed this week." Kathy's Recall has not been trialled over 600m but Quarrell is confident she will adapt. She has notorious slow beginners Uno Play Boy and Intrepid Force drawn either side of her. "If she could come out running and lead, I expect her to run in the low 35 seconds there," said Margaret. "She will run the distance for sure. I'm worried about Texas Ranger because he is going to be hard to beat. "He looks sure to be up there near the lead early because he is the only other fast early runner in the race." Kathy's Memory, dam of Kathy's Recall, is due to whelp a litter of Black Enforcer on greyhound of the year night February 28. * Handy galloper Thunder Flight (Just The Best-Nanciloo) makes a comeback to racing after a tendon injury sidelined him for four months. He has drawn awkwardly in box four in a 520m 5th grade. The Flying Amy Classic finalists has already won in a fast 30.61 around Ipswich. But he injured a tendon near his hock which sidelined him and local vets said the dog is lucky to be back racing. "He's had a couple of slips and one trial at Albipon Park," said Mal McCabe, partner of trainer Sheryl Clark. Thunder Flight has won four races at Albion Park and was a great fourth to Bogie Ace in the Flying Amy Classic last year. He has not raced since finishing last to Super Hornet in a heat of the Ipswich Gold Cup last year.

FEBRUARY 2009

Karmazz rests on laurels Courtesy GRAQ website 12 Feb, 2009. UNBEATEN Karmazz will be given a few weeks break by trainer Peter Wilson. He and partner Elaine Klaasson had decided win or lose the son of Hallucinate-Go Stanley had deserved a short let-up. Karmazz didn't let the kennel down when leading throughout to win a 520m Novice at Albion Park on Thursday night. He scored by an ever-shortening half head to the dead heaters Quarter Time and Bethanga. It was Karmazz' first run over 520m after two brilliant 395m wins in recent weeks. "He's knows he's been in a race tonight," said Wilson after the victory. "But if they chase hard then they should be like this. "He's done enough to earn a short break and it will help him get over this tough race." Peter and Elaine share the training of the dog for owner Lynne Ivanovic who bred the two-pup litter. "Go Stanley was the winner of a few races for me but was a sister to Karma Stanley a very good dog," said Lynne. "This litter had only two pups in it and the bitch was sold to South Australia and has won her first two races as well." Wilson has high hopes for Karmazz the first dog he has trained for Ivanovic. "Peter thinks he's Jason Thompson ... planning for all the big races," said Elaine.

FEBRUARY 2009

No escape for Houdini Courtesy GRAQ website 11 Feb, 2009. BLACK Houdini will continue to campaign around Albion Park. His trainer Russell McBride said this after the dog's brilliant win there on Tuesday night. He downed a quality line-up. Black Houdini (Whisky Assassin-Zane's Girl) led throughout to win in 30.43 scoring narrowly over Roxy Rocks and boom youngster Christian Congo. It was a great training feat by McBride because Black Houdini, thought suspect at the distance, had not started since winning the Young Guns final at Capalaba in December. He downed a high class field that day as well. "He blew up after the run so there will be great improvement from that outing," said Russell. "I thought he could lead easily and then hold on and that's how it turned out. "He will now go to racing on Monday and Thursday night at Albion Park." Highlight of the night's racing was the training triumphs of Ashley Bock and Edward Neal. Both trained winning doubles, Bock with the Paddy Fitch owned Vintage Sparkler and Rose Dubloon, and Neal with Sakkuku and Mega More * ASTUTE trainer Peter Wilson is in the dark as much as punters with exciting young dog Karmazz for his assignment in a Novice (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night. The son of Hallucinate-Go Stanley has started twice for a maiden heat and final victory over 395m. In the final he scored by eight lengths as raging hot favourite and his 22.80 was easily the best of the day on February 3. "I even thought he would go a bit quicker in the final," said Wilson. He admitted Karmazz has not been over 520m and if the dog will run the journey is a question even he is asking. "He hurt himself a little while ago, but since he has been back in training the improvement in him has been good," said Wilson. "He can begin, and we like him a lot as a race dog. "His run-home in the final was 12.18 which is pretty good for the sprint. I think he will develop into a very nice dog." Wilson trains Karmazz for Lynne Ivanovic. "Alec Green has been training for Lynne, but he can't take all the dogs she has, so Lynne asked us to give this bloke a try," he said. "I'm glad she did." The Novice is yet again a quality line-up of young dogs.

FEBRUARY 2009

Lady heading south Courtesy GRAQ website 5 Feb, 2009. PROMISING staying bitch Lady Moscato will be flown to Victoria to continue her racing. Anna Wright, wife of trainer Bob, said that after the daughter of History Lesson-Lady Kero had easily won a 710m even at Albion Park on Thursday night. She scored by four and three-quarter lengths over hot favourite Shadow Boxer with a half length to Monarch's Merlot in third. The winner ran 42.18 for her first victory in two starts over the distance. She took her record to 13 wins from 32 starts and her third at Albion Park. Lady Moscato will join the kennel of top Victorian trainer Jason Thompson. "She's going down to aunty Seona and uncle Jason," said Anna. Thompson trained Lady Moscato last year for a sprint career and the bitch went well during the Group 1 Sandown Laurels series. She came back home for feature races late in the year but was always going back to Thompson once she stepped up to distance racing. "Jason picked her as a stayer the moment he saw her," said Anna after Thursday night's win. The rise in distance for Lady Moscato has been delayed because of a broken tail in October last year. "We were just about to step her up to 600 metres then but the tail put her off the scene for some time," said Anna. "Now that she is back to her peak, she will be flown to Jason on Monday." The Wrights would have been supremely confident of success but for the presence of boom galloper Shadow Boxer making his 710m debut. "She missed the start at her first run from the 710m boxes last week," said Anna. "I knew she would jump better tonight. "We would have been very confident but for Shadow Boxer being in the race." The Wrights have always been confident Lady Moscato would stay. Her litter sister Abbi Taylah was third in the recent Group 1 Association Cup final over 720m at Wentworth Park. Shadow Boxer was very slow away and tailed off last early before unleashing a powerful run into the race from the back straight. He finished well but Lady Moscato was just as strong at the finish and won impressively.

FEBRUARY 2009

Boxer steps up a division Courtesy GRAQ website 2 Feb, 2009. THE much awaited 710m debut by Shadow Boxer eventuates at Albion Park on Thursday night. Trainer Greg Brennan, ever patient, has waited until the perfect opportunity to step out the son of Hallucinate-In My Dreams in a race restricted to none winners beyond 700m. He takes on a few smart gallopers including Monarch's Merlot, also making his 710m debut, Lady Moscato and Irish bitch Killough Orchid who also has been crying out for a distance rise. Shadow Boxer comes off a near track record breaking 630m victory at Ipswich last week. He downed a four-dog field in 37.11 when scoring by 13 lengths as an expected raging hot favourite. It was just .03 outside the long-standing Ipswich 630m track record held by Royston Raider from the Peter Roy kennel. Ironically Roy reported that Royston Raider has only just died as a 12-year-old. "Our bloke ran 37.08 one week but they wouldn't give it to him becauee it was hand timed," said Roy. "So we came back and ran it again the next week and this time he got the record." Brennan is confident his dog is right at his peak even though he is wary of him having his first 710m start. "Of course I'm a little worried about the step up in distance," he said. "You are never sure how they will handle the distance until they actually are tried over it." Shadow Boxer is the third fastest dog ever over 600m at Albion Park and has always shown he would be suited by the longer journey. His dam was a top grade stayer for Brennan and is from a long line of stayers. Brennan said he was happy to see Monarch's Merlot engaged in the same race. He believes Max Hay's in-form galloper will lead for a long way on Thursday night and give rails drawn Shadow Boxer a great run into the race. Shadow Boxer has won nine of his 19 race starts and five of those wins have come at Albion Park. "I don't want to make plans for his future until I see what he does on Thursday night at his first run over the distance," said Brennan. "But tentatively, he will head down south for some staying races and then be back for the big staying races at Albion Park in a few months time." Five heats of the Young Guns series kick off on Thursday night. Both Greyhounds Qld and the Brisbane Club will be overjoyed with the response in numbers and quality for the heats. Rattle And Hum, Dashing Corsair, Gnarraloo and Strong Breeze are back from their National Derby and Futurity assignments. Top trainer Troy Sharpe has changed plans with Queensland's most improved sprinter Kay Size State. He had planned to this week trial the dog in preparation for the Group 1 Australian Cup series at The Meadows. "But I'm now going to head down for a trial either before the races or during the meeting on Saturday week," said Sharpe. That is the night of The Temlee, a gala night of racing at The Meadows. Instead Kay Size State backs up again on Thursday night in a Best 8 from box five at Albion Park. "I can't believe this dog," said Troy. "On Friday morning after his win the previous night, he was jumping out of his skin, full of beans." This week he will have to take on Sangio King making his top grade debut and drawn perfectly in the two box.

FEBRUARY 2009

Miagi signs off with top award Written by: GRNSW 16/02/09 Retired superstar greyhound Miagi (Hallucinate x Deloris) capped off a tumultuous career when he took out the 2008 NSW Greyhound of the Year award at a glittering function at the Sydney Hilton on Friday night. After suffering injuries at the hands of a feral dog near a veterinary clinic back in 2007, Miagi went on to claim two group titles in 2008 and become one of the most popular stayers in the history of the sport. Clearly emotional after taking out the 2008 Stayer of the Year title, Miagi’s trainers Jill and Warren Harper were ecstatic as they accepted the Greyhound of the Year award. The 250 strong crowd were engrossed by their acceptance speech and joy at taking out NSW greyhound racing’s top honour. Event favourite and current darling of the sport Miss Elly Mint missed out on the top award but trainer Robert Smith was on hand to accept the 2008 NSW Sprinter of the Year award and Miss Elly Mint already looks certain to be in the running for next years major award. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Chairman Professor Percy Allan AM said the awards were an important part of the fabric of greyhound racing in the state and that it was time the industry took control of the night rather than the burden of funding being covered by the NSW National Coursing Association (NCA) who have conducted the awards since 1965. “I want to thank the NCA for making the Greyhound of the Year the pivotal celebration of industry achievement that it’s become in the greyhound racing calendar,” Professor Allan said. “Tonight we see a new era where we come together to recognize not only the best greyhounds, but also outstanding Trainers, Owners, Breeders, The Youth, Our wonderful Volunteers and the administrators of our clubs that help our sport thrive.” Majella Ferguson received the inaugural NSW Trainer of the Year award while NSW Club of the Year for 2008 went to the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club. Professor Allan also used the occasion to announce a new industry excellence award. “The Board of GRNSW has decided to introduce the Allen Wheeler Medal to recognize an individual who has performed with absolute distinction within the NSW greyhound industry. “Allen Wheeler is universally recognized as a doyen of our industry and the naming of the award in his honour sets a benchmark for the medal itself as he epitomized the qualities by which the award will be judged, namely skill, integrity, leadership and empathy for others.” Son of NSW greyhound matriarch Allen Wheeler and highly successful breeder and trainer in his own right, Paul Wheeler, was on hand to accept the accolade on his late father's behalf and then present the first Allen Wheeler Medal to NCA Grand Patron Jack Bell. Jack who is 94 years of age, had the crowd at the Hilton Ballroom captivated as he reminisced about his years involved in greyhound racing. The full list of awards announced on the night are below. Greyhound of the Year - Miagi (Hallucinate x Deloris) Allan Wheeler Medal - Jack Bell Trainer of the Year - Majella Ferguson Club of the Year – Grafton Volunteer of the Year - William Schwenke Young Person of the Year - Kayla Coleman Sprinter of the Year - Miss Elly Mint Stayer of the Year – Miagi (Hallucinate x Deloris) Run of the Year - Queen Lauryn (Ladies Bracelet Final) Sire of the Year – Hallucinate Brood Bitch of the Year - Thai Again