Impressive Croweater in hunt for Bogie Leigh Futurity honours

By Jordan Gerrans

It has been a record-breaking year at home for South Australian trainer Lauren Harris and it has rolled into her Queensland adventure with exciting youngster Don't Tell Lies.

Don't Tell Lies has developed an outstanding record in her young career, claiming the Group 3 Oaks in SA and the Leigh Rogers Grade 6 feature, before coming to the Sunshine State and taking out a heat of the Bogie Leigh Futurity in dominant fashion on Thursday evening at Albion Park.

The Brindle Bitch has drawn the black rug for next Thursday’s Final and the Croweater is set to be one of the main chances to claim the Group 2 event after winning in a time of 29.73 seconds in her heat.

Based at Finniss in SA, the Harris kennel has enjoyed an excellent 2021 so far.

“We have had a really good year; our goal was to get as close to 100 winners as possible for the year and I think we are nearly up to 130,” she said.

“That is well and truly exceeded our expectations this year.

“The dogs have been good; we are lucky to still be racing with everything that’s happening with borders.

“Don't Tell Lies will be the best one we have; she is a nice type.”

Harris’ kennel is based an hour between both Angle Park and Murray Bridge in SA, making it easy for her to race her team at either venue.

She trains on 10 acres, converting a former horse property to a kennel over the last five years with space for 20 greyhounds in work, as well as whelping and rearing dogs.

From a Fernando Bale and Quest For Glory litter, Harris was pleased with the way Don't Tell Lies raced in her home state but admits it was always going to be a test to see how she would step up in company to the 2021-22 TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival in Queensland.

She had a quick look around Albion Park late last month and put her best foot forward in the Group 2 heats, bolting in by nine lengths.

“They are well-credentialed races here in SA she won, she has progressed really nicely,” Harris said.

“She loves Angle Park, which is always handy for us here, she just keeps improving.

“It is all very exciting times for us and my myself and my partner Ryan, we are excited about it all, as the owners are too.

“We were ecstatic about the run.”

Don't Tell Lies will not be the only interstate visitor in the Final after Victorian Matthew Lanigan qualified Impulse Buy, who will jump from three next week.

Harris and the Tasmanian-based owners of the top bitch opted to send her to legend Brisbane trainer Tony Brett for her Queensland campaign.

The team behind Don't Tell Lies have never actually met the leading trainer in person – only chatted over the phone – but as you would expect, Brett was highly recommended by other southern trainers to Harris.

“We wanted to see if she could take the next step, travel and settle in at a new kennel and she has taken that in her stride really well,” Harris said.

“Tony is really happy with her and has told me she settled in good.

“She has adapted to his routine well and for me it is good to see that she has handled the travelling and going to a new date while putting the time on board as well.”

Following the Bogie Leigh Futurity Final on Thursday night, Harris has considered keeping her gun bitch in Queensland for more feature racing across the summer carnival but will also ponder heading to NSW for their Futurity in the opening month of 2022.

It was another big night for the Brett kennel, Don't Tell Lies winning in his care, while Just A Sort claimed a heat of the Queensland Derby.

Just A Sort will run from box five in next Thursday’s Final.

Western Australian visitor Unsee This, trained by Shayne Williams, will be hard to beat in the Group 2 Queensland Derby Final from box two after his 29.77-second victory in the heats.

Click here to see the full program for the 2021-22 TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival.