Littermates’ form for Ipswich feature a pleasant surprise for Price

By Pat McLeod

Gold Coast hinterland trainer Joanne Price is rapt, but just a little surprised, with her two home-grown gems in Saturday night’s Ipswich Corporate Sprint Final over 431 metres.

The ‘straight-shooting’ Price said the recent form of litter mates Vixen Cruiser and Hey Wags had shocked her and fellow kennel trainer Jason Aylward.

“I was particularly surprised with how Vixen Cruiser is going,” Price said.

“She ran a good time (25.24 seconds over the Ipswich 431 metres) a few weeks ago. We were shocked with that.

“And, her run the other day (in winning the Corporate Sprint heat), we were surprised as anyone else when she got up on the rail and got herself to the line.”

Both chasers are from Price’s Bella Infrared and Crazy Vixon litter.

At 13 weeks Hey Wags was sent down south and started his race career in Victoria.

He returned to Price’s property at Canungra after 14 starts at Geelong and Ballarat for one win and three placings.

Since being back with Price he has two wins from two outings at Ipswich.

“All I can say is that he is happy to be home,” she said.

“I have no real understanding about why he is going better. He wasn’t doing much down there, but since coming back he is showing what he is showing.”

Currently Price and Aylward have 16 dogs in work, from two home-bred litters and many more than they normally have in their care.

“I am happy to be racing our own and giving them opportunities,” she said.

“But, this is a lot more than what we have had, but at least they are getting the chance to race, either on the circle or up the straight.

“We just love seeing them race and come back safely.

“We don’t punt. There is no expectation on these dogs. They go and have their run and then come home.

“Over time we will cut back to fewer numbers.” 

Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club President Rob Essex said the Corporate Sprint race feature, over 431 metres, was in its infancy and was a spin-off from the very successful Corporate Dollars over the longer 520 metre trip.

“The Corporate Dollars has been a part of Ipswich club racing for many years and has helped us build a very strong connection with local businesses,” Essex said.

“In recent years we decided that because there were many businesses who missed out on the eight places for the Corporate Dollars we decided to have another similar event, but to put it over the 431 metres. 

“The corporate packages are similar and allows us to include a wider corporate base for the club.

“This Saturday night’s Final has resulted in a super field, some very good dogs involved.

“And, just like the Corporate Dollars Final night, this has proven to be a very popular event for the club and for the businesses and their guests who come along.

“They want to keep coming back each year, so it is a concept that is working for the club and the businesses.”

Essex confirmed that 221 pups have been nominated for the club’s Golden Chase puppy auction to be held in October.

Pups sold through the auction on Sunday, October 8, will be eligible for the $100,000-to-the-winner Golden Chase over 520 metres to be run next year at The Q, the new Purga greyhound complex, near Ipswich.

The Golden Chase auction and race was previously known as the Ipswich Puppy Auction, but with the Purga move looming, the club decided to revamp the concept and boost prize money.

The Ipswich Puppy Auction was first run in 1989 and was taken out by the Frank Rochford-trained Milluna Miss.

The Ipswich club has been working overtime to repair damage done by a lightning strike on Tuesday night.

That strike not only caused the meeting that night to be abandoned after race six, but has triggered ongoing issues with some damaged infrastructure still not repaired.

Club staff have been working ‘around the clock’ to ensure meetings go ahead.