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LATEST RACING NEWS
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Thunder out of child care
Written by David Brasch - Tuesday, 08 May 2012
OWNER-trainer Ricky Camp's partner Virginia burst out of her Ingham child care workplace on Tuesday night in time to watch their pride and joy Tokalon Thunder land her second Young Guns victory when she won a 498m version at Townsville.
Virginia is the workhorse around the Camp kennels in Ingham when Ricky is called away with work at Qld Rail. She and Ricky's parents normally bring the dogs to Townsville and are met at the racetrack by Ricky.
Tonight Virginia had to work and could not be at the track to see Tokalon Thunder (Give Me Five-Keiloden Sky) win over Rail Torque and Cruiser Boy. It was her 16th victory in 48 starts and her seventh at Townsville.
Ricky's mum Isobel had two finalists in the Young Guns and finished runner-up with Rail Torque. Her other runner Miss Fui Fui started the hot favourite.
"Mum was the first one to congratulate me," said Ricky.
Tokalon Thunder has been perfectly placed by Ricky throughout her career. She has now won 16 races and is still eligible for a third grade at Townsville.
"We've kept her mostly to age races," said Ricky. "She's already won a Young Guns in Cairns and been runner-up in another when beaten a nose."
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No shock about that
Written by David Brasch - Thursday, 05 April 2012
EXCITING staying prospect Mocha Shocker stamped himself a potential 710m star even though he was winning a lowly 5th Grade at Ipswich on Thursday night.
Mocha Shocker (Give Me Five-Am Classy) raced right away to win the 630m 5th Grade in 37.35 by five lengths over early leader Alota Charm with five lengths to Blondie's Babe in third.
Mocha Shocker was winning his sixth race in just 16 starts and he has run five placings.
Kennel spokesman Mike Chapman was more excited about Mocha Shocker's powerful finish than the fact he had won.
"That was our test for him," said Mike. "I wanted to see how he ran on with his prospects over 710 metre in mind. He proved to me tonight he will run that for sure."
But Mike and trainer Rachel Scott will not be tempted to step the dog up to 710m for some time.
"He'll go into the Big Dog Cup heats at Albion Park next Thursday night first and then down the track we'll look at further distance for him," said Mike.
Alota Charm began brilliantly and led clearly into the back straight. But Mocha Shocker quickly took off after her and had her measure by the turn. He raced away in the straight.
Mocha Shocker is the pup Rachel received from breeder Deb Arnold. "We sold Deb the bitch and get a pup from her litters," said Mike. "We have a very nice pup by Never Enough out of Am Classy that is five months old."
Am Classy was a promising bitch and a sister to such classy gallopers as Too Classy, Butibam Bobby and On The Ropes.
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Auction final box draw
Written by David Brasch - Friday, 30 March 2012
JILL and Peter May will be chasing their second Ipswich Auction final next Thursday after speedy bitch Country won her semi-final today (Friday) and then drew the coveted rails box draw for the final.
Ipswich Auction (in box draw order) is: 1 Country, 2 Runaway Rebel, 3 Atomic Aussie, 4 Jean's Work, 5 Rob Pines, 6 Heza Jimtrik, 7 Shinzo's Girl, 8 Hot Tewin. Reserves: 9 Georgee Go Wing, 10 Crash Babe.
Awesome Design won for Jill and Peter back in 2003 when a rank outsider, and Country's dam Just Country made the final but fell heavily in 2007.
Country ran 30.62 to win by three lengths over Runaway Rebel with three and a half lengths to Georgee Go Wing in third. It was her fourth win in nine starts.
"She hurt a gut muscle last week but I took her off to my muscle man and he fixed that," said Peter Hay.
Di Buxton continued her great run when Jean's Work (Collision-Splitting Hairs) led throughout to win his semi in the best of the night 30.41. He scored by eight and a half lengths over Heza Jimtrik with two and three-quarters to Stay The Night in third.
Jean's Work is the Eric Thomson Maiden winner from last year and a litter brother to Got A Moment who won the Easter Trophy at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Peter Buxton said Jean's Work had been sent to the Auction as a pup with his and Di's son Darryl for sale at $2000. He reached only $1800 so was brought home for the Buxton family to keep.
Caretaker trainer Michael Demedio believes there is further improvement in Tasmanian galloper Rob Pines (Bombastic shiraz-Velocity Thunder) who led throughout to win his heat in 30.79 by four and a half lengths over Shinzo's Girl with a length to Harlem in third.
Rob Pines has won 11 of his 30 starts. Ted Medhurst trains the dog in Tasmania but Rob Pines was sent to Michael six weeks ago for the Qld Derby and the Auction.
"I talk every week with his owners Craig Cassidy and Kevin Tolpit and Ted Medhurst," said Michael. "This preparation is planned. I think there is further improvement in him for the final."
Rachel Scott produced Hot Tewin (Give Me Five-Pilgrim's Legacy) to lead throughout in her semi-final in 30.49. She raced right away to win by nine and a half lengths over Atomic Aussie with Crash Babe finishing on well for third a neck away.
The bitch has won four of her eight starts at Ipswich but has only just overcome the effects of a fall some weeks ago.
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No omens for 'uncle Tom'
Written by David Brasch - Thursday, 29 March 2012
FIVE to Five led throughout to win a 520m 5th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night and the omens that went with him were simply amazing.
Five To Five scored by FIVE lengths, in a FIFTH Grade, and he started from box FIVE, It was his FIFTH win at Albion Park. The dog's sire is Give Me FIVE.
The trouble with all that is, trainer Tom Noble didn't reckon he could win.
Five To Five (Give Me Five-Holly Blue) led throughout to beat Pocket The Penny with two and a half lengths to Romantica in third. The winner ran 30.19 for his sixth win overall.
"Last Sunday, I took all the dogs up to my farm at Churchable and trialled them," said Tom. "Five To Five led in the trial but Jack Swagger went past him like he was nailed to the running rail."
With that in mind, Tom and his kennel supporters were all on Jack Swagger in race two on the night. Jack Swagger was never sighted finishing unplaced behind Special Premier.
"How could we then back Five To Five knowing what we know," asked Tom.
But Five To Five began brilliantly and was never in any danger of being beaten. He raced right away in the straight.
Tom bred the winner from his former handy race bitch Holly Blue a daughter of Surf Lorian and Tom's former Albion Park top grader and Cairns Cup winner Awesome Cruiser.
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Pam on the rise
Written by David Brasch - Thursday, 29 March 2012
PAM Field has to be a calming influence out at her Logan Reserve kennels.
If husband John had his way ... well Pam doesn't want to go there.
Pam's speedy High Riser (Give Me Five-No Conspiracy) led throughout to win a 520m 5th Grade at Albion Park on Thursday night in 30.38 scoring by three-quarters of a length over the fast finishing Craigie Air with a length and a quarter to I'm Bewitched in third.
It was his eighth win in 25 starts and he has run six placings.
"Yes," admitted John Field. "I doubted him. We thought he was going to be something when he was a baby, but then his form went off."
But patience has worked with the dog and High Riser has turned his form around again. "That's a secret," said John. "But he's back. The rails certainly helped him."
High Riser is a son of the Field's former better than handy bitch No Conspiracy who is a daughter of the outstanding Kovu.
"We've got a pup from an Ivan Brown litter she had that has just been broken in," said John. "Then she had one pup to Cosmic Rumble. We've just loaned her to Mal Dawson and he has put her to Superman. I've already got a name for the pup Pam and I will get. It's No Super."
High Riser will press on with Albion Park racing as is the Field routine and could run in the up-coming Young Guns series at headquarters.
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Gary's the Chief
Written by David Brasch Wednesday, 07 March 2012
COSMO Chief stayed on the track this week and blitzed a 331m Maiden field at Albion Park on Wednesday afternoon to give Gary Moore a jackpot.
Cosmo Chief (Give Me Five-Scottish Diva) made his debut last week and led easily at the first turn only to run off the track and finish second. Today he made no such mistake and scored by six and a quarter lengths over Angie Baby with three and a quarter to Kosai in third.
And in the process, Cosmo Chief landed the day's jackpot for Gary and his family.
Cosmo Chief is one of four dogs the Moores bought cheaply from Ninnette Haack a couple of years ago. Ninnette's husband Norm was a regular client of the Moore meat business.
"Norm had been trying to get me to buy one of the pups for a few months," said Gary today. "Unfortunately, Norm died of a heart attack and Ninnette urgently needed to sell the pups."
Gary paid $1000 for the four dogs from the litter. The three bitches and the broodbitch were put into the adoption program.
"They were about six months old at the time and they have developed into nice dogs," said Gary. "They are getting better all the time. They are no world beaters but they'll keep winning races."
Cosmo Chief ran a slick 19.22 today.
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Mocha shocks a few
Written by David Brasch - Thursday, 01 March 2012
MOCHA Shocker, one of the rank outsiders, surprised everyone but his kennel when he stormed home to win a heat of the Qld Derby (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Handler Mike Chapman said he was "reasonably confident" the dog could give the heat a shake when he drew a wide box.
Mocha Shocker (Give Me Five-Am Classy) rattled home late to grab Bellagio Lad to win by three-quarters of a length in 30.38. Early leader Franklin Fury was third a length and three-quarters away.
Mocha Shocker is a much improved galloper having won his past two at Albion Park the previous in a Novice again rattling home late to win.
"This is the kennel's first Derby finalist," said Mike who was standing in for trainer Rachel Scott.
Deb Arnold bred the dog and gave Rachel and Mike a pup from the litter.
"This is a breed that continues to improve so what he is doing now, he will improve on after he turns two and a half," said Mike. "Dogs like Classy Cha Cha etc have all done that.
"I just wish he could improve his first section."
Mocha Shocker was well back in the early stages but quickly worked into third in the back straight but had loomed up to be challenging for the lead on the home turn.
It was his third win in 10 starts and he has been placed four times.
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Senor bounces back
Written by David Brasch - Thursday, 01 March 2012
ASTUTE trainer Geoff Allen believes the one box is not the best for his highly promising young dog Hanson Senor.
Which is surprising after Hanson Senor (Give Me Five-Hanson Charm) came off the rails draw to wear down Seldom Said to win a heat of the Qld Derby (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.
He scored by two lengths in 30.30 with a neck to Premier Demand finishing well for third.
Hanson Senor had the rails when a disappointing second to Felix Shiraz at Ipswich last week when a hot favourite at $1.30.
"He didn't begin at Ipswich," said Geoff. "But I'm not convinced he is really that well suited off the rails. I like him better from a wider draw."
Hanson Senor looked something special when he won at Albion Park in 30.10 on February 6 and then confirmed that when he wore down Seldom Said to win the Young Guns final two weeks ago.
Allen has had two Qld Derby finalists in the past.
"It's been a while since I did," he said. "Hanson Ned was unplaced in a final and Hanson Supreme ran third behind Roanokee."
He believes Hanson Senor is a great chance in next week's final. "He's very consistent," he said. "And he just keeps proving himself."
The victory was his ninth in 19 starts and he has been placed six times.
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Thunder's Final
by David Brash 17 February 2012
RIVAL trainers virtually gave up when Tokalon Thunder drew the rails in Friday night's Young Guns final (410m) at Cairns.
And Ricky Camp's brilliant bitch did what was expected of her by winning tonight's final in 23.94.
The daughter of Give Me Five-Keiloeden Sky scored by three and a half lengths over Miss Fui Fui with three lengths to Capricorn Star in third.
She has now won eight of her 32 starts and been placed 14 times.
All her racing at Cairns has been over 410m and she has six of her wins in 14 starts over that distance.
Camp was supremely confident his bitch could win the final.
"It didn't really matter where she drew because she is so brilliant out of the boxes," he said.
But when she came up with the rails, it was always going to be difficult for her rivals to beat her.
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Mocha to Stay
By David Brash - 16th February 2012.
KENNEL foreman Mike Chapman reckons if Mocha Shocker ever learns to race, he will develop into a better than handy galloper.
The son of Give Me Five-Am Classy rattled home late to win a 520m Novice at Albion Park on Thursday night in 30.46. He scored by a length and a half over Cakes And Pies with four and three-quarters to Got A Moment in third.
Rachel Scott trains the dog but Mike handled him tonight for his second win in nine starts. He has been placed four times.
"His racing pattern is a bit strange at the moment," said Mike. "He's slow away but he likes to get off the track in the straights and rail on the turns," he said. "If ever he learns to race, he will be something."
Mocha Shocker was bred by Deb Simon.
Rachel Scott bred the dam Am Classy and sold her to Simon on a pup deal.
"Mocha Shocker is from the first litter out of Am Classy," said Mike. "We have a bitch out of her second litter."
Of Mocha Shocker, Chapman is confident he will eventually learn to handle himself in a field. "When he learns how to race he is a sub 30.20 dog at Albion Park," he said. "But there is no doubt he'll handle 600 metres for sure."
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Young Guns omens galore - by David Brash - 16.02.12
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HANSON Senor "had" to win Thursday night's Young Guns (520m) final at Albion Park ... there were too many omens to say he could.
First, it was owner-trainer Geoff Allen's 63rd birthday.
Second, Hanson Senor was the only progeny sired by Give Me Five in the rich final. The race was sponsored by Terry Hines and Michael Sherlock the owners of Give Me Five.
And Hanson Senor (Give Me Five-Hanson Charm) didn't let any of them down by getting up in the very last stride to win by a nose in 30.36 beating Seldom Said with two and a half lengths to Aladdin's Queen in third.
It was his eighth win in 17 starts.
Allen is no stranger to winning Young Guns finals.
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"I ran the quinella years ago (2004) with Hanson Shigga and Hanson Teddy," said Geoff. "When the next one came around Hanson Shigga wasn't eligible, so Hanson Teddy won it."
Allen admits he was "a bit surprised" when Hanson Senor got up to win. "I didn't really think he could win out of the five box and with so much early pace in the final.
"I was expecting trouble at the first turn. But he got around OK and settled third. He's strong and from then he finished well."
Allen will give the dog a week off and then bring him back to Albion Park for the up-coming Group 2 Qld Derby series.
The Young Guns final was full of changes.
Knocka Down began well and led into the back straight but Seldom Said raced to the front passing the 600m boxes. Hanson Senor emerged out wide in the home straight and just got up on the line.
Allen said Hanson Senor had been a constant improver. "He didn't break in all that well but he has just kept improving," said Geoff. "He's a nice dog and strong."
Hanson Senor is from the same damline as Geoff's other Young Guns winner Hanson Shigga.
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Senor all in the pedigree
Thursday 09 Febuary 2012 - By David Brash
FOR decades now, former Victorian Geoff Allen has been a real student of greyhound breeding.
When Hanson Senor led virtually throughout to win a heat of the Young Guns (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night, Geoff smiled and remembered back to the late 1980s and when he was living in Wangaratta.
"It was an era when Wanzel and I'm Blessed were producing champions," said Geoff. "They were full sisters but from different litters."
Geoff was so impressed he combined them into a couple of pedigrees of his own and now 30 years later he has come up with Hanson Senor (Give Me Five-Hanson Charm) who took his record to seven wins from 16 starts with Thursday night's victory.
He scored by a length and three-quarters over Aladdin's Queen with three and a quarter lengths to Time Will Tell flashing up for third. The winner ran 30.24 and it was his fourth win in a row.
"His mother is bred to be a broodbitch," said Geoff. "Even though she wasn't all that good on the racetrack. She had a fair bit of pace and could just get 520 metres,"
Hanson Charm also carries three crosses of Starfire Lady through her son the famous New Tears and daughter Treb Lass a bitch Geoff had great success with.
Allen says Hanson Senor was as fit as he could make him but with age could get better.
"He's won this race tonight on his second birthday," said Geoff.
Hanson Senor had won in a fast 30.10 at Albion Park on Monday night. "I don't like backing them up this quick and that may have taken a bit off him tonight," said Geoff.
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Walking with a Swagger
Thursday, 02 February 2012 21:07
BACK in November, Jack Swagger came crashing to the track at Ipswich after he hit the running rail and cut open a leg to the bone.
Breeder and trainer Tommy Noble wasn't sure just what the future held for him.
On Thursday night at Albion Park, Jack Swagger (Give Me Five-Holly Blue) led throughout to win a 520m 5th Grade in 30.48 and Tommy was smiling.
"He fell at Ipswich and fell onto the running rail cutting open his leg," said Tommy. "It left a huge wound which has only just healed up."
The dog has been back in work for a short time and trialling well but Tommy knows he is desperate for an inside box draw.
"I didn't back him tonight because his run last week was just ordinary and I know he needs to be drawn near the rails," he said.
Jack Swagger is a son of Tom's former handy race bitch Holly Blue the winner of 19 races and a finalist in the Group 2 Ipswich Auction behind Go Makatam.
"I put her to Gozo Smile for her first litter and she produced a really nice dog I sold to Steve Boody but that dog came down with a problem and we never saw the best of him," said Tom. The Gove Me Five litter is her second.
"I kept a couple of the pups and sold the rest," said Tom. "This dog has always shown ability but he won a fifth grade and then won a fifth grade heat and final and before I knew it he was a third grader.
"He went through the grades too quickly. That's why I had to bring him into town for Thursday night races to put him back into fifth grade.
"He's a good chasing dog."
Jack Swagger scored by a length in 30.48 beating Kya Rose Hi with a length to High Energy in third.
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Hot to bet
Monday, 06 February 2012 21:18
MIKE Chapman was smiling but kicking himself at the same time.
That's because Hot Tewin won a Novice (520m) at Albion Park on Monday night and paid the juicy odds of $55.
"I had something on her, but obviously not enough," admitted Mike after the race.
Hot Tewin (Give Me Five-Pilgrim's Legacy) is trained by Rachel Scott. Mike is kennel foreman.
"There is a tale to tell about her," he said. "She had trialled very well at Ipswich and we backed her when she won a Maiden at Lismore. But she had a very bad fall at Albion Park in December and then at her next start she was run off the track."
The bitch had time off after that and had to undergo a stewards trial. "It was a very wet track and she was a bit underdone but she won the trial in 31.25," said Mike. "We expected her to go well tonight, but we thought she would be only $10."
Chapman said astute form follower Darren Russell had backed the bitch at Lismore after spotting her trial so well at Ipswich before her maiden. "Darren let her go tonight, much to his angst," said Mike.
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