Young dog helps Timbs fall back in love with greyhound racing

By Pat McLeod

Bruce Timbs has fallen back in love with greyhound racing.

His powerhouse youngster, Brunswick Flyer, who will contest a fifth grade Final over 600 metres at Albion Park on Thursday night, has certainly fuelled his rekindled passion.

“I was involved in greyhounds years ago when you would race for a hot dog and a toothpick,” Timbs quips.

“But, I lost the love for it.

“It’s a big commitment and about 15 years ago I gave greyhound racing away. However, I recently retired (as a painter) and I am not the sort of bloke who can sit around watching TV.

“So, I put the toe back in the water and now I have five race dogs in my kennel and another five nice pups coming through. I have fallen back in love with the sport.”

Timbs, who is based out of a seven-acre property at the idyllic coastal hamlet of Brunswick Heads, in Northern NSW, has only returned to the track in recent months.

The stand out success for him has been Brunswick Flyer (from a Zambora Brockie and Tauwitchere litter), who has not missed a placing in 13 starts – all at Albion Park.

“It is a bit of a drive (to Brisbane), but the prize money in Queensland is so good and the track is more suited to how he races,” Timbs explains.

“He is a strong chaser, but hasn’t been a good starter, until last week.

“That was the first time he has started well. He has always looked for more distance and that is why I stepped him up to the 600 metres for the first time last week.

“His time (34.73 seconds) was very good and he has pulled up fantastic. It would be really good if he can start well again in the Final.

“The three (Chris Brydon’s Garrison, also a heat winner, in 34.69 seconds) is the big danger and it would be good if my dog could start well enough to stop him from crossing.

“But, if you start thinking this is a two-dog race, well that would be a big mistake.”

Timbs refuses to put expectation on his young speedster, but admits to being excited by the prospects over the next couple of months.

“He is not a top dog yet, but he’s heading in that direction,” Timbs said.

“We will just see how he goes. Eventually I would like to see how he goes over 700 metres, but you have to be careful. Once you start to go up in distance, it can be hard to switch a dog back.

“There is no doubt he (Brunswick Flyer) is a genuine chaser. He has already shown that he can take a knock.

“He re-groups and keeps chasing. There are some nice races coming up, but I don’t look too far ahead. It is a case of one step at a time.

“But, if he can take that next step, that would be fantastic.”

The 66-year-old Timbs says his wife Anthea is a big help around the kennels.

“When you are a one-man show like me, that help is very important,” he says.

“I also get my dogs checked after every run. I never risk racing them unless they are 100 per cent.

“They love racing as much as I love it, but I want him (Brunswick Flyer) to be still happily racing as a four-year-old.”