Hoggan doubles down in women trainers final

By Isaac Murphy

Kerry Hoggan has been a leading South-East Queensland greyhound trainer for years.

Hoggan loves the fact she can race her male counterparts on an even playing field, never having to worry about the inclusiveness of the greyhound industry.

Although trainers like Hoggan don’t seek out attention, the industry owes their influx of female trainers a debt of gratitude.

And the industry hopes to pay back in part with the running of the #ChoosetoChallenge Chase Women Trainers Final on Thursday night at Albion Park.

Hoggan will be front and centre with two leading chances in the event.

“I think the acknowledgement a race like this gives to female trainers is really important, not that we want to be treated differently to our male colleagues, but females are a big part of the sport and races like this are always well received,” she said.

“When I saw the race it was immediately something I wanted to be a part of and the timing couldn’t be better with my two runners Khandela and Ritza Dot both going well.

“I think Ipswich deserves a lot of credit having a male and female premiership over the years, it’s created that sense of equality and to have Pauline Byers and Serena Lawrance advocating from the top of that list is fantastic.”

Hoggan rugs up Ritza Dot in the red and Khandela in the white for the race and if Leanne Hall’s favourite Extra Malt faulters, the pair will be there to pounce.

“Looking over the race it’s a very even affair anyone of them could run a drum on their night and take it out, but we’ll all be chasing Extra Malt is she comes out and repeats what she did on Monday night (29.6),” Hoggan said.

“She’s a class above time wise but still has to get away from box five and they can be very different animals when they’re not on the lure, we certainly like our chances.

“Khandela sees an inside draw for the first time in seven starts and Ritza Dot who’s been crying out for the red gets it for the first time since we’ve had her in the kennels, I think they can both push forward and give a sight.”

Hoggan has reason to be confident with soon to be three-year-old Khandela just finding her 500m legs with three wins and three placings from his las six starts.

“He’s gone to another level the way he’s racing, he’s not a particularly strong 500m dog, but he’s at a point in a career where he’s found his right grade and is racing with plenty of confidence,” she said.

“There are a couple of habits in his racing which we thought might cost him, obviously his run home was a concern over more ground but he’s been sticking on well and he likes to course wide but that’s actually helped him in his last few races.

“It’s been a real thrill to see a three-year-old dog with 71 starts under his belt learn new tricks, he was always serviceable over the shorter distances but the last month or so have been the most consistent of his career.”

Hoggan loves sharing her success and is rapt to see an owner just as happy with how he’s going.

“Khandela’s owner Gary Harris, or Harry as we call him, is a real character and a great supporter of what we do, it’s fantastic to see him getting a kick out of the run he’s on,” Hoggan said.

“He’s a racing nut who owns dogs throughout Australia, some of which would have Khandela covered but he’s always had a soft spot for the chaser.

“The dogs had such an injury free career and despite not always winning tries his heart out, Gary doesn’t live too far away and has been there every Thursday night for this good stretch of form, it’s been great for all concerned.”

Dogs can have a long run of outs with box draws but not many compare to Ritza Dots streak which she finally breaks this week.

“Ritza Dot is a bitch with plenty of untapped potential, she came to us late last year from her owner Eddie McCorley and in eleven starts the closest she’s drawn to the fence is box four,” Hoggan said.

“Eddie’s (McCorley) a first-time owner and despite the run of tough draws has just been enamoured with the bitch and the process throughout, he’s actually going to get his handlers license so he can be more involved at the track.

“The bitch finally broke through with her first win for us at Capalaba on the weekend and has now drawn the red for the final, hopefully things are turning her way and we can see what she’s really made of.”

Hoggan believes the bitch is knocking on the door and a Thursday night triumph can’t be too far away.

“Her form hasn’t been as good as Khandela in the lead-up to this race, but we’ve been really happy the way she’s ticking along,” she said.

“A Capalaba win isn’t the same as a Thursday night 500m, but she crosses the line first for the first time in quite a while and that holds some weight.

“She’s been running consistent placings from her wide draws at Albion Park and expect her to be right in the mix from the one on Thursday.”