Whispers is already a winner in the beauty and vanity stakes

By Pat McLeod

Matt Hamilton’s straight track specialist, Whispers, is likely to be the rank outsider in this Sunday’s Capalaba Futurity Final.

However, he has no doubts that if the race was decided on looks and vanity it would be a far different story.

“Everywhere we go with this dog we are told the same thing,” Hamilton says laughing.

“The comment is always ‘she is much too good looking to be a race dog’.

“And, she certainly is. She could definitely be a show dog.

“She is white and black and her nickname is ‘Panda’. She just doesn't look like a racing greyhound.

“And, 100 per cent she knows that she is a good-looking greyhound. No doubt about it.”

Looks aside, Whispers does have some claims on this Sunday’s Final which is dominated by two other kennels – Darryl McGrath (three runners and the second reserve) and Tom Tzouvelis (four runners).

Hamilton, who owns and trains the dog with his wife Myra, says their chaser has experience and track knowledge on her side.

“I am excited to be in the Final,” he said.

“Whispers has had more starts (45) than any other dog in the Final.

“She also knows Capalaba very well. She basically broke in there and knows every blade of grass at that track.

“Confidence-wise, she won't get lost, and she runs straight up the middle.    

“Whispers matured very early and so instead of putting her on the circle we just started to race her up the straight and she loves it there. For her age, at Capalaba and Bundaberg she is always hard to beat.

“But, about 20-dead at Capalaba, pulls her up. She has run 19.78 seconds, but that was with a tailwind.”

Hamilton is hopeful of more success in the second half of the Bewildering and Boscono chaser’s career.

He owns the mother with Glass House Mountains trainer Rob Ayres.

She had a successful career, maturing late and accumulated $81,300 in prize money.

“Boscono didn’t win a race until she was over two-and-a-half years old,” Hamilton said. 

“She also raced over 600 metres. So, the older the breed gets, it appears the better they get.

“That is why we haven't rushed Whispers to go over the distance on the circle. We will let her mature.”

Hamilton has been involved in greyhound racing for 30 years, while Myra, was introduced to the sport when the pair married 10 years ago.

Both are registered trainers, but with busy careers, maintain a small, four-dog kennel.

Matt is creative director at Brisbane radio station Nova, while Myra is a primary school teacher.

He has no concerns at having the ‘odd dog out’ sandwiched between the Tzouvelis and McGrath kennels on Sunday.

“No, no worries, there,” he says.

“Tommy and I go way back. I remember he beat my very good dog Matt’s Dream (third) in a Final of the Dapto 100,000 many years ago.

“Darryl is another good friend. I often handle and box his dogs.”

Capalaba secretary and track manager Erin Cameron said Sunday’s Derby and Futurity Finals, each worth $11,600, were among the high points on the club’s calendar.

“The track is very popular with most trainers, especially with educating their young dogs,” Cameron said.

“So, these age restricted races attract plenty of interest.”