Geelong Cats powering on greyhound litter in Queensland

By Jordan Gerrans

Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood delivered Geelong multiple AFL flags and Bundaberg-based breeder Nathan Trigg is optimistic their namesakes can hand his family QGOLD riches.

The Trigg family have a theme with every litter they breed with the Aston Dee Bee and Merlot Hayze litter all named after female athletes or Geelong footballers.

Trigg grew up in the country Victorian city and is a big Cats fan before moving to the “Rum City” as a teenager.

In the litter, all the legends of the Geelong club feature: Jimmy Bartel, Hawkins, Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and an Ablett – which can cover both Gary Jnr and Snr.

And, the girls in the litter are named after champions from other sports.

“We named the females after Steph Gilmore and Ash Barty,” Trigg said.

Trigg alongside his wife Tracy, who previously trained her own team of dogs, have been breeding litters for around a decade.

The Aston Dee Bee and Merlot Hayze litter do their racing for respected Atkinsons Dam-based trainer Sandra Hunt.

Like many who grew up in Geelong, the great Gary Ablett Snr is Trigg’s favourite footballer that has ever worn the navy blue and white hoops.

“Ablett, without a doubt,” he said with a laugh.

“It is probably more senior really, I enjoyed both of them, but I was always a fan of senior.

“He was in his prime when I was younger.”

One of the stars of the sport-themed litter is Tomahawk Hayze, who is named after champion forward Hawkins’ nickname.

Tomahawk Hayze has been floated as a potential Origin Greyhound Series runner for Queensland later this year and will contest Thursday’s QGOLD Winter Sprint at Listed Level.

The black dog has not missed the money in his last 15 starts but Trigg understands that it is no easy task against a hot field.

“Tomahawk has come along really well and matured into a good dog,” he said.

“He is facing Jay Is Jay, Cash Master and Shipwreck, who are champion dogs.

“I do not think the five box will worry him too much because he jumps well.

“The empty box next to us definitely helps, as well. Hopefully he can get out early.

“It would be great if they were a bit stronger in the last 20 metres as that has been their Achilles' heel in a lot of races, they have come second quite a few times, sometimes only by short margins.”

The Group 1 Brisbane Cup will become Queensland’s first million-dollar greyhound race in 2023.

The time-honoured feature will almost double in prize money this year, sky rocketing from $525,000 to $1 million.

The upcoming Brisbane Cup series could well be on the agenda for a chaser like Tomahawk Hayze.

The Triggs were pointed in the direction of Hunt by fellow top trainer Travis Elson and the owners will leave the path through the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival to the leading conditioner.

“Sandra places dogs very well and is a very good trainer,” Trigg, who works at a mine in Moranbah, said.

“We speak about it all but I let her place the dogs where she likes.

“She maps out where they will run. Sandra has been great for us and I cannot speak any higher of her.

“We have learnt so much from her and the effort she puts in, she is a work horse.”

The Trigg family have been breeding, rearing and racing for many years and applauded the new QGOLD concept.

Thursday night’s Albion Park program will be headlined by nine QGOLD Finals across a variety of age, class and distance with total prize money for these races at $245,600.

“It has been a pretty awesome concept, both regionally and at Albion Park level,” Trigg said.

“It has been a good opportunity for breeders and owners to get some good money.

“Everyone involved has done a great job of recent times with new initiatives implemented to give everyone a hand.

“It creates a bit of excitement, as well.”

As well as Tomahawk Hayze, litter mates Selwood Hayze (QGOLD Bolt Final over 395 metres) and Barty Hayze (QGOLD Blitz Final over 331 metres) will also be on show on Thursday.

Trigg says Bartel Hayze was the dog of the seven strong litter who broke in the quickest and showed the most promise in the early stages.

He was last at the races in early April and will spend a period of time on the sidelines with a minor injury.