When the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic rolls around in June spare a thought for Trevor Hagney, whose dog Johnny Fire was the star performer in the 2013 semi-finals but who remains lame after injuring a hock in a trial on the eve of the last year’s National Sprint Championship series.
Johnny Fire (pictured) led throughout from box six to trounce a host of Victorian stars in his Peter Mosman semi, clocking 29.63 and posting splits of 5.38 and 13.70.
But he bungled the start from box one and finished fifth in the final before breaking down soon after.
Johnny Fire is just three years old now but Trevor says there is no chance of NSW’s "forgotten" greyhound returning to the track.
"He needed orthopaedic surgery to save his leg, complete with plates and screws, and still limps, but the only alternative was to have the leg amputated and I wouldn’t do that to him," Trevor said.
"Three legged dogs don’t live to ripe old ages.
"I’m trying to secure a few bitches for him to serve but it will be difficult to find them because Johnny Fire had only just reached group level racing when he broke down.
"His best win was the Peter Mosman semi but at Maitland he clocked times like 22.19 and 22.20 and he was virtually unbeatable there except when he ran into Black Magic Opal in the Cup final there."
While Johnny Fire has a home for life Trevor is banking his training hopes on a 12 month old dog and bitch by Dyna Lachlan from his former champ’s dam Gunna Oz.
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Laurie’s Lee stunned The Gardens racegoers on Wednesday when he won a 715m low grade by 13 lengths and clocked 42.28, among the fastest long-distance times posted at the track.
Laurie’s Lee’s time compared well with the long-standing record of 41.82 held by ZIPPING Lad, Jason Mackay’s 2011 Summer Cup winner.
But the time didn’t surprise Laurie’s Lee’s trainer Simon Ma, who prepares the dog for Laurie Refalo, proprietor of Gosford Cup sponsor Woy Woy Poultry.
"Laurie’s Lee could always run and has trialled 16.22 for the Wentworth Park 280m, but he has taken a while to put it all together," Simon said.
"I’m keen to get him to Wentworth Park over 720m but first he has to tackle a 600m race at Gosford on Tuesday night."
