Bundaberg blossoming under Hassall’s watch

By Isaac Murphy

It’s no coincidence that the Bundaberg Greyhound Club’s resurgence in recent months has come under the guidance of President Ricky Hassall, who’s taken the Club from strength to strength since his appointment late last year.

With the help of tireless volunteers and stakeholders, the humble trainer and administrator has ensured the present and the future of racing at Bundaberg is taken care of, as the Club celebrates a landmark week with two TAB meetings, highlighted by a 10-race Thursday slot on top of regular Monday racing.

Hassall spoke passionately about the current state of affairs and big plans in the works for later this year.

“Nominations for Bundy Monday had already been really strong and when Rockhampton temporarily closed, the demand for racing went through the roof and fortunately for us, we were able to pick up another meeting this Thursday which is great for all participants,” Hassall said.

“We would have liked to have picked up a few more meetings, we wouldn’t have struggled for numbers, we just haven’t been able to find suitable times where we’re not overlapping with other TAB meetings.

“The standard of racing is as good as it’s ever been, even though we’re from the same region there’s a healthy rivalry with the Rockhampton dogs and the continued support of trainers like Peter O’Reilly, Jeff Crawford, Brett Hazelgrove and Gerard Bowe has made for some great racing.”

Racing will come to a temporary pause later this year as the track is given a full refurbishment, which Hassall says will ensure quality racing well into the future.

“Come October, the shoe will be on the other foot with plenty of upgrades planned here at Bundaberg; we’ll see no racing for at least eight to 12 weeks, but it’s going to be pretty exciting once it’s all finished,” he said.

“We’re extending the width of the track to seven metres with a new running rail and outside fence, we’re ripping up all the turf and getting everything levelled before we lay a new surface.

"The 550 boxes will become 531, the 460 will remain, we’ll have a new 315-metre start and we’re in talks about possible 720-metre boxes.

“I’m really hopeful we can lock in the 720-metre trip, it won’t be a distance we use every week but would be ideal to couple with the Bundaberg Cup which we’re looking to transfer to next March at this stage.”

Hassall referenced It’s A Rush’s recent 550-metre track record as a sign you could no longer come to Bundaberg for an easy kill.

“We saw the bar lifted recently by It’s A Rush for Gerard Bowe breaking the track record and becoming the first dog to go under 31 seconds,” he said.

“Waddling Witch had the record previous to that at 31.19 in September last year, but before that the 31.21 mark had stood for a long time. 

"To have two city class dogs break it within a short space speaks to the type of chaser we’re attracting.

“Gerard and Justin Bowe have been big supporters of the Club for a long while now and to see them break the record with It’s A Rush well and truly dismisses the old adage if you can’t win in Brisbane, go to Bundy.”

Training is still a big part of Hassall’s life and of his current crop, he puts Aston Dee Bee/Gnarley Girl bitch Hooked On Xena as his most talented chaser.

“I got to be a little part of history, finishing seventh with Hooked on Xena in the same race the track record went, I would have preferred it to be us but it’s nice to have a young bitch who’s competitive and has won in Free For All company at your home track,” he said.

“I’m actually bringing her to Albion Park tonight to trial her over the 500 metres with a vision of hopefully splitting her racing between here and Brisbane in the future.

“A mate of mine Brett Millard bought her as a pup and asked me if I’d like to train; I happily accepted, and we were able to do all her rearing and breaking in here at home.”

Hassall has managed to solidify both the clubs and his own future with a litter of pups at home which could be anything when their time comes.

“The future looks bright on the training front, I’ve got 10 Fernando Bale/Elegant Eleanor pups at home, four dogs and six bitches who are 10 weeks old and fighting fit,” he said.

“Elegant Eleanor was the bitch who really put me on the map as a trainer winning 17 of 27 starts including that dominant Country Cup win at Albion Park and put it this way, I’d have to get a very good offer to sell one of her pups.

“There’s a real attachment there and I’m just hoping a few of them can have careers as half as decent as hers and I can continue the line.”