Garrison makes greyhounds an easy sell for horse trainer

By Pat McLeod

The runaway success of Chris Brydon’s Garrison at Albion Park on Thursday night has made Anthony Newing’s task of ‘selling’ greyhound racing to his thoroughbred colleagues a lot easier.

Newing trains thoroughbreds out of Grafton and was track side at Albion Park to see Garrison, who he owns with two other mates, win a 600 metre fifth grade heat by just over 13 lengths.

“That was an out-of-the-box performance, the way he bounced onto the bunny and ran time (34.69 seconds),” Newing said.

“That is the ability that the dog has got, however he has a tendency to miss the start and get into trouble. That is what he can do.”

Newing is very keen to get more of his thoroughbred circle involved in greyhound racing.

“We have just bought a Feral Franky pup that Chris is rearing. Chris took about 12 months to source the right pup for us. He is getting reared at Chris' property," Newing said. 

“We want to get more dogs. We actually want to get more thoroughbred racing people involved in greyhound racing.

“It is fun, a different avenue for us to enjoy. I find that as a thoroughbred trainer, I can go to the greyhounds with some friends and really relax.

“You can enjoy both codes. It is the same goal, you are looking for a winner, looking to have a bet and if you can do that owning a dog then that is awesome.”

Garrison’s win over the Tom Tzouvelis’ pair of Tagovailoa and Legendary Danger in 34.69 seconds took the chaser’s record to 41 starts for 10 wins and 13 placings.

The win by Bruce Timbs’ Brunswick Flyer in the second heat of the fifth grade over 600 metres was just as impressive.

The Zambora Brockie and Tauwitchere dog won by just over six lengths to Akela Judo (trained by Martina Kirillidis) with Orson Apatite (Jason Aylward) third, in 34.73 seconds. 

“That is 13 starts now and he has not been out of a place,” a delighted Timbs said. 

“We will see how he matures over the next couple of months to see what races we will target with him. This was his first time over that distance and his time was not too bad at all.

“From day one I felt the dog needed more distance. He will get 700 metres. It is also the first time he has jumped. He is not a great starter.

“The dog has talent, but is still young. I was really happy with the run, but given what he has done so far, I would have been disappointed if he had not won.

“It will be a good race next week and whoever draws inside, that will be the key.”

Meanwhile, Sandra Hunt’s class performer Kahlo Hayze reminded all of her ability when she cruised to victory in a best eight race over 520 metres on Thursday night.

The Orson Allen and Dolcetto Hayze bitch claimed the race with a mid-section gear change that put paid to the valiant efforts of early leader, second-placed Kia Kaha (Warren Nicholls), and Speed Zone (Travis Elson), who was third.

The winning time, a best of the night 29.76 seconds, is Kahlo Hayze’s best time over the 520 metres at 'The Creek' since July 18 (29.75 seconds).

Her personal best at the track is 29.67 seconds. 

Hunt finished the night with a double when Lederhosen Boy took out the final race of the 12-event program, a masters 520 metre event. 

It has been a tough couple of weeks for the Elson clan with the recent passing of patriarch and Queensland breeding phenomenon, Bill Elson.

However, there was a playful smile on the face of Bill’s son Travis, as he left the Albion Park inner circle on Thursday night after winning race two, a masters over 520 metres, with Mumma’s Brew.

Travis’ dog had pipped Obliging Travis, owned and trained by family matriarch, Bill’s wife Cyndie Elson.

In recent years, much of the ‘heavy lifting’ at Bill and Cyndie’s kennel, and their race day and night duties, have been handled by older son Warren.

As the two boys, Warren and Travis, conducted a bed-side vigil with their father in hospital, they started their own ‘match-race’ series between dogs from Travis’ Yandina Creek kennel and the Churchable kennel.

“It was just a bit of fun and we knew that dad could hear us as we talked about the dogs and joked about who was the better trainer,” Travis said. 

“It started on the Thursday night (October 3) before dad passed away. On that night Warren took the honours when Obliging Warren won with my dog, Mumma’s Brew, coming third.

“Since then I have won, with Mumma’s Brew winning last week and this week.”

Travis said the family was looking forward to Saturday’s celebration of life for Bill, which will be at the Churchable property, 27 Jamieson Road, Churchable, from 4pm.

“Mum is really looking forward to that and seeing so many people who have played a part in dad’s life,” Travis said.

Tamborine trainer Sean Galloway only needed to point at the clock on Thursday night to confirm the incredible longevity of members of the Fernando Bale and Spring Time Girl litter that he races for owner Jean Hose.

At her 89^th start, Springtime Rose recorded a personal best (34.86 seconds) for the 600 metres at Albion Park, taking her stakes earnings to $170,005.

Also unplaced in that race was Springtime Gold, who bought up her 100^th start and has a prize money haul of $174,095.

From that litter Galloway also races Springtime Jet (80 starts for $169,530).

“They turn five in February and still love racing,” Galloway said.

“If they didn’t love it, they wouldn’t be here. They are just good dogs.”