Harkness to honour former partner at Ipswich swansong

By Jordan Gerrans

Kerri Harkness is adamant Blue Blend will be running with his ‘angel wings’ on his back when racing at Ipswich comes to a close on Saturday evening.

In what would be a fairytale result on the final night of racing at the Showgrounds track at Ipswich, the family of former club president Steve Woods will have a starter in the last feature event to be run at the facility.

The respected Woods passed away last year following a cancer battle.

The headline act of the last race meeting at the venue is the Golden Chase Final over 520 metres with $100,000 on offer for the winner.

Harkness, Woods’ partner in life and greyhounds, owns Blue Blend who has forced his way into the rich decider following the heats and semi-final stages of the series.

For Harkness, it has been an emotional week leading into Saturday night and she says she will be sad to see Ipswich close as the club offered such a family-oriented vibe.

Before Woods died in May of last year, the Woods and Harkness combination often purchased dogs through the Ipswich Auction but never had any progress as far as Blue Blend has.

“Steve wanted to be here, but it wasn’t to be,” Harkness said.

“Steve’s life was about the greyhounds and the industry, he got on well with all the people and I think there is a lot of people in the sport now who are missing him.

“He loved socialising with people at the races.”

“I always say that he has his angel wings on, this dog.”

Woods and Harkness purchased Blue Blend and two bitches from the Ipswich Auction after inspecting them at Jeff Crawford's Buccan property.

Following Woods’ sad passing, Harkness handed the young dog to Crawford to prepare.

Woods was a long-time member of the Ipswich and Brisbane Greyhound Racing Clubs and took on the role as president at Ipswich as the club progressed towards transition to The Q.

“Steve was a popular and respected member of the greyhound racing fraternity, having been an active participant in the industry for over 50 years,” leading greyhound administrator Luke Gatehouse said at the time of Woods’ passing.

“As president of the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club from October of 2023, Steve led the final stages of the amalgamation of the Ipswich and Brisbane Clubs, ensuring that the vote of Ipswich members was overwhelmingly in favour of the amalgamation.

“Steve was elected to the inaugural committee of the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club by Ipswich members, but sadly was unable to continue in the position due to illness.

“Steve Woods is a man who will be missed.”

To take on the role of president at Ipswich was a title that Woods wore with pride, according to Harkness.

She said her late partner of around 35 years ‘loved’ the way the industry was moving forward to the exciting new The Q complex.

Woods was a builder by trade before focusing in on his greyhounds later in his life.

Crawford was quick to acknowledge how popular the late Woods was within the industry as he was often helping other trainers build new structures at their kennels to help with their training methods.

Experienced dog man Crawford described Woods as a ‘good friend’ and says his kennel is proud to be preparing Blue Blend.

“The dog has galvanised our friendship and to be racing for him, it is quite an honour, to be honest,” the trainer said.

“Every time I get the dog out, it is a thought that goes through my mind about Steve and how proud he would be of the dog.

“To race it for he and Kerri, it is a real thrill and honour.

“Steve was passionate about his dogs but he was an even better person, he would help anybody and go above and beyond.

“Steve would be looking down on us and riding the dog to the line.”

A 30.29 second performance in an Ipswich maiden earlier this year underlined that Blue Blend was a dog full of promise.

From a Hooked On Scotch and Kiss And Cut mating, Blue Blend won his heat of the Golden Chase series in 30.33 seconds before finishing second to Tom Tzouvelis’ Seriously in last week’s heat.

Crawford relocated north to the Sunshine State in 2015 and says Ipswich has always been a track he is enjoyed racing at and notes he will miss it following Saturday night.

“It is a real thrill because it is a race that I have always wanted to be a part of,” Crawford said of Saturday’s Golden Chase decider.

“And, to be a part of it on the final night and the race being the final feature race, it is something we are very proud of and something that we are really looking forward too.

“We feel our dog has probably made his grand final by getting to this race so we are very much looking forward to it.”

With three wins and three minor placings from eight career starts, Harkness says Blue Blend shows plenty of promise.

Crawford believes the blue dog is still a work in progress and will continue to develop following Saturday’s rich event.

“He is a dog with a lot of ability and pace,” Crawford said.

“He just needs to learn how to do it in a field and get his start right and finish his races of.

“He is heading direction so far and we are really happy with him.

“He has done well to make the Final and it is a credit to his chase and instinct.”