New Dad Prado celebrates first Thursday night win

By Alex Nolan

They say when a trainer welcomes a new baby into the world it pays to follow, as there’s now an extra mouth to feed.

Less than a month after he and wife Hannah welcomed their first child ‘Billie’, trainer Tim Prado has scored his first Thursday night metropolitan win with Street Smart in a Fifth Grade at Ipswich, albeit in unusual circumstances.

The milestone victory came almost a year to the day after Prado prepared his first winner, Tupelo Tommy, to win a maiden heat at the same track.

Both were proud moments, but nothing compared to becoming a father for the first time.

“We’re besotted by Billie, we love her so much,” he said.

“We’re a fairly non-assuming, ordinary suburban couple but to see Hannah become the most incredible mum fills you with so much pride.”

One of the first trainers to assist Prado when he was learning the ropes was Forest Lake conditioner Col Hamilton, who was listed as Street Smart’s trainer until just days ago.

Hamilton has revealed he was due to undergo surgery to remove a growth on his lung this week before the surgery was cancelled at the last minute.

It meant he was at Ipswich to catch Street Smart, with Prado as the caretaker trainer.

“People were saying ‘it doesn’t take long to improve one of your dogs,” Hamilton joked.

“The doctors said I would be out of action for about four-to-six weeks so I put the dog in Tim’s name and he picked him up earlier this week.

“I didn’t expect he could win that race, to be quite honest … but I did have a small bet on him because he was such a big price.

“I’ve found the races you don’t expect to win, you do. It tends to be the races you’re confident about winning when things don’t go right.”

Prado said he could barely walk straight in the moments after winning on Thursday.

The young Wavell Heights trainer became mesmerised by greyhounds after he and Hannah adopted a retired chaser called ‘Gus’ and saw him gallop in full flight along the beach.

“When you see them running up-close for the first time, it is something else,” Prado said.

It sparked an interest that saw him take the steps from pet owner to punter, participant and now, a passionate advocate for greyhound racing, having introduced numerous friends to the sport

He harbours a unique curiosity about what makes racing participants tick and is always looking to learn how to improve his animals.

“I’ve had my own winners but to take a dog out on Thursday night and win like that, even though I’m a caretaker trainer, still makes me feel good because of all the other work I have put in,” he said.

A trip to McDonald's for a celebratory ice cream was in order but with the soft-serve machine out of action, Street Smart was treated to a box of chicken nuggets.

Prado was quick to emphasise that he is a caretaker trainer for Street Smart and said he admired Hamilton’s approach to greyhound racing.

“You just click with some people and Col has always been pretty straightforward with his advice and tips … and now I feel bad for taking 50 percent,” Prado said.

Hamilton has trained a number of handy dogs over the years, including 2010 Group 3 Flying Amy Classic runner-up Roman Express, who he credits as his best.

His highest prize money earner Big Dac raced 220 times for 24 wins and still lives with him to this day.

He said Prado was a keen listener and knowledgeable young trainer who deserved the accolades that come with a Thursday night winner.

He also said he was feeling fit and healthy and looks forward to getting back into the swing of training once his surgery is completed.

“I’ve got a pup being broken-in in May and I’ve got the sister to Street Smart (Rising High) racing at Ipswich with John Judd this afternoon (Friday),” Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, Prado is trying to turn around the fortunes of his racer Please Find Work – ‘Lenny’ at home – who won on debut but has struggled in recent runs.