Bundy greyhound developing a Classy resume

By Jordan Gerrans

Greyhound breeder Cyril Anderson believes the prize money Bundaberg Wildcard champion Smart And Classy has accrued in his career is a testament to how far the industry has come in the Sunshine State.

The black and white dog was a smart winner of the Wildcard event at ‘Bundy’ on Monday as he won straight through to the big Group 2 Bundaberg Cup on the grass early next month.

Anderson bred the Hooked On Scotch and Vince A Bella litter that produced Smart And Classy and his seven other litter mates who have made it to the races.

Smart And Classy quickly became the star of the litter in the context of victories and prize money, earning more than the rest of his siblings by far.

He has $88,665 to his name from 18 victories in 47 starts.

Remarkably, he has claimed all that cash without winning a city race on a Thursday night at Albion Park.

To do all that without scoring in a race at ‘headquarters’ at the main meeting for a week in Queensland, Anderson believes it shows the strength of the industry in regards to stakes increases across the state.

“For any greyhound to win $88,000, it says a lot and for him to do it without a Thursday night race, it is saying something more,” the breeder said.

“I know a lot of it is based on the placement of the dog by the trainer. It is a good example of a dog winning a lot of money without winning a big race.

“It really emphasizes the dog. This shows what you can do in this day and age with a dog.”

After Anderson bred the litter, Bundaberg trainer David Plummer eventually took on the dog as an owner-trainer.

Plummer has prepared him for the majority of his career before taking a step back from the industry in recent times.

The ownership of the dog has changed since Plummer gave up the training duties and Anderson and Damien Barker have taken Smart And Classy back on as co-owners.

They have transferred the dog to astute Gatton greyhound trainer Tony Apap.

Smart And Classy quickly became a ‘Bundy specialist’ under the guidance of Plummer and that has transferred through to his time with Apap.

He is a 13-time winner from 28 starts as well as nine minor placings.

“What Plummer did made the dog absolutely love Bundaberg,” Anderson said.

“It paid dividends in the placement and prize money.

“He began to win up there and we always knew he would be a 500 metre dog.

“Plummer concentrated him on Bundaberg and only took him to Albion Park when he had to.”

Smart And Classy went to the Ipswich track and scored victory in the Corporate Dollars Challenge earlier this month before heading back north to his favourite track for a tilt at the Wildcard series.

He was a dominant heat winner in 29.97 seconds over 531 metres last Monday in the heats before winning the Wildcard Final by more than six lengths.

There were only two days between Smart And Classy’s Corporate Dollars Challenge triumph at Ipswich and his heat win at Bundaberg.

Anderson has been blown away by his dog's ability to recover.

“Tony told me he has never had a dog in better condition,” he said.

“He said the dog looks an absolute picture.

“He has pulled up well from all this racing he has had over the last few weeks.”

In winning the Wildcard, Smart And Classy receives automatic entry into the $75,000-to-the-winner Bundaberg Cup.

The heats of the Bundaberg Cup are set to be run this coming Monday before the Final seven days later.

The heats have attracted a strong crop of South East Queensland chasers with leading kennels such as the Zammits’ and Chris Brydon set to be prominent.