CHARMER LODGE FEATURE NEWS - OCTOBER 2005

'THE DON' SETS SIGHTS ON RECORD Courtesy GRAQ website by David Brasch 18 Oct, 2005.

ULTRA astute trainer Don "The Don" McKinnon has set his sights on Winged Runner's all-time win record at Albion Park. That follows Royal Eclipse's "upset" victory at headquarters on Monday night. The son of Royal Assassin-Just Leica Queen landed his 24th victory at Albion Park when he ran 30.52 on Monday night. "We're got Winged Runner in our sights," said "The Don". His wife, handler Vicki, is adamant the record will fall. McKinnon said his dog was still as sound as when he was first put into training, and he could go for another 12 months. Royal Eclipse has been an Albion Park war-horse. His 24 wins is from a total of 27 wins. "But he's also run 12 seconds and 11 thirds at Albion Park," said McKinnon. The dog has now earned more than $70,000 for the kennel, not bad going considering he was a $500 pup purchase. McKinnon was irate that Royal Eclipse was made a reserve for Thursday night's top grade. "But once I had a look at the field he was to meet, I'm quite happy to be a reserve." Winged Runner won 32 races at Albion Park and holds the all-time record. She eclipsed Moreton Bay Star's record, while Bogie Leigh won 29 at headquarters. "I reason we have another 12 months racing with our bloke, and hopefully he could get the record," said "The Don". "It's an honor to be up with those great dogs." "We'll get it," said Vicki.

GEOFF COOK PRODUCES ANOTHER SLICK PERFORMER. Courtesy Greyhound Racing NSW - Jeff Collerson -Sunday, 18 September 2005

GEOFF Cook, who trained the former champion Wentworth Park bitch Dancing Habit, produced another slick performer at the track on Saturday night. Cookie's Habit was drawn as a reserve but blitzed her rivals, Wenty winners Winsome Joy and Mean Red Bean, to win a three dog trial in a blistering 30.06sec. A November 2003 daughter of Royal Assassin and Crazy Habit, Cookie's Habit had won two of her four provincial races before the trial. After the gallop Cook explained: "She is a full sister to Dancing Habit. "Dancing Habit was from Crazy Habit's first litter, while her second litter, by Trendy Leigh, included Shireen's Habit, who has won six races at Wenty. "Crazy Habit's third litter, by Awesome Assassin, included Nun's Habit, who is on the way back, and Cookie's Habit is from her fourth whelping. "Early in her career I thought Cookie's Habit was going to be no more than a handy greyhound, but she keeps improving. "Admittedly the track tonight was fast, but before the trial she had recorded 30.38 and 30.55 in two goes around Wentworth Park. "I now intend running her in the qualifying heats of the Vic Peters Memorial Classic at WP on October 19.'' Jeff Collerson -Sunday, 9 October 2005