Lindsay caught up in golden opportunity with Professor Snitch

By Jordan Gerrans

Beerwah dog man Trevor Lindsay understands it is likely only going to be for a short time but he is going to relish the experience for as long as it lasts.

Lindsay has been in the caper for some 36 years and has had some success with dogs such as Hearts Colliding and Fancy Mojo, among others.

Hearts Colliding has run second in a couple of black-type races through her career.

The veteran greyhound conditioner has also spent time pre-training and working as a kennel foreman for other trainers during his journey.

While he has prepared a number of good dogs over the years, none have been of the calibre of Group 1 hopeful Professor Snitch.

It is only a caretaker basis through the Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival but Lindsay is making the most of it and is hopeful his deeds with Professor Snitch lead to more opportunities.

“It is magic here, I cannot speak more highly of this place,” Lindsay said of his Beerwah kennel.

“To have a property like this with the dogs being all natural, we think it works for them.

“We just need the quality of dog to pick our profile up.

"For example, doing this interview - this kind of thing does not happen to me very often.

“We think we are as good as anyone going around and we just need to put ourselves out there. I just the love the industry and I am so devoted to it.”

Lindsay lost the enjoyment of the sport in early 2015, leading to a lengthy time away from the code, and has been back with the lead and collar for the last couple of years.

After working at the massive Inpex project in Darwin for almost six years, Lindsay is focusing his attention on having a “real good crack” at his training.

Lindsay's parents were in greyhounds and raced at the Gabba in the old days.

Professor Snitch is prepared by champion trainer Steve White on a regular basis in Victoria but is in Lindsay’s care for the carnival.

Professor Snitch is Queensland-owned, with the mother and daughter team of Arlene Roy and Vanessa Heather leading the bitch’s connections.

Lindsay trains Snitch’s litter brother Professor Sirius so it made sense for Roy and Heather to send her to the Queensland trainer with White busy with his team down south.

After running second in last week’s heat, Professor Snitch is aiming to claim the annual and popular Group 2 Golden Ticket on Thursday evening at Albion Park.

From the four match races this Thursday, the fastest of the four winners is declared the recipient of the Golden Ticket.

That dog not only collects $60,000, but also gets direct entry into the $250,000-to-the-winner Gold Bullion Final on February 1.       

The daughter of Sennachie found trouble in running last week before rocketing home to slot into second to sneak into the decider.

“I am proud of the fact that she has made this Final,” part-owner Roy said.

“I do not take anything for granted and every race is a bonus for me, I just get so excited about it.

“If she does not win, I know she has tried her heart out as I can see it in her races. She will give them a real go and a real shake.”

Lindsay prepares his team on a farm for macadamia nuts on around 400 acres.

The greyhounds regularly walk through the paddocks and see kangaroos and foxes, which the ownership group think is a positive for their mental approach.

“I am very lucky to have Arlene and Vanessa as owners, they know where I come from and they are very good,” Lindsay said.

“Owners need to believe and owners need to believe in their trainers. These guys certainly believe in me and my team, it is great. They are really good to do business with.”

The Roy and Heather team do not think there is a better place in the Sunshine State for their beloved dogs to receive their work.

“Trevor has done an excellent job, I couldn’t be happier,” Roy said.

“Trevor has got the absolute ideal set-up up here, he only has a small kennel and he is devoted to his dogs and just loves his dogs.

“What he has got here could not be replaced, I do not think, anywhere else. He walks the dogs and takes them through the nut farm and they see all sorts of critters.”

Heather agrees.

“He is one of a kid, as well, he is fantastic,” Heather said.

“He loves his dogs and he is doing everything he can to make sure she can be the very best she can be. And, we couldn’t ask for anything else.”

White provided Lindsay with a program with how he prepares Professor Snitch in Victoria and it is all going to plan.

The enthusiastic Roy and Heather are enjoying a magical run with Professor Snitch as they are first-time owners into the code of greyhound racing.

They both have extensive knowledge and background in different breeds of dogs: Heather (golden retrievers) and Roy (dobermans).

Heather has bred litters of golden retrievers before buying into greyhounds alongside her mother.

She is now sold on the breed and industry. 

“I always thought golden retrievers were the best dogs ever until I met these greyhounds and it all changed,” Heather said.

“I still love my dogs – I have still got them – but greyhounds are just one of a kind dogs and I absolute love them.

“They have a loving temperament, they are just beautiful affectionate creatures – you could not ask more from them. The greyhounds are something else, I just love them.”

Roy has showed dobermans at competitions around the country.

Heather and Roy most certainly love their animals – regardless of their breed – and ensure they are as hands-on as they can be.

They are regulars up at Lindsay’s property to give Snitch and Sirius a kiss or a bath.

Snitch started her career in South East Queensland with a bang before being sent to White in Victoria and has since returned north for the carnival.

While it is nice to race for higher honours and prize money in the southern states, they do appreciate having Snitch just down the road.

“She has also had a lot of sunshine up here and a lot of love and kind hands,” Roy said.

“Some greyhounds just like the love and I think she is one of them.”

Professor Snitch is pitted against Ipswich star Blue Hornet in the first of the four match races on Thursday evening.