By Pat McLeod
Townsville Greyhound Racing Club president Gary Heath knows there is a sad irony in the naming of his lightning-fast chaser, Trapped.
Unfortunately, that is where the dog’s enormous potential has remained – trapped.
“Both he and his sister (Steamy Windows) broke in sensationally,” Heath says.
“We (the four members of the Growin Up ownership syndicate) were offered six figures for them, which we reluctantly knocked back.
“He (Trapped) started off really well. He is a brilliant trial dog.”
That’s where the Townsville Greyhound Racing Club president’s explanation trails off, because that brilliant trial form has seldom appeared in a race.
Trapped has a handy record of 13 wins and 13 placings for $38,515 in prize money from 44 starts.
He has campaigned across New South Wales and Victoria through a number of top trainers, but that potential remains locked away come race time.
“He is a very frustrating dog,” Heath said.
“He also plays up badly in the kennels and so that is where most of his races get run, before he even gets on to the track.
“When he does jump he appears to over-think things in a race. Tries to be too smart. He gets a bit field-shy and will attempt to go around the field. Just frustrating.”
Recently the four owners acknowledged that the dog just wasn’t competitive ‘down south’, so the decision was made to send him up to Heath in Townsville.