Christine Oldfield may not be quite as pumped for greyhound racing as she once was but Kevlarr has got her competitive juices flowing again.
The highly promising sprinter goes in the fifth grade Aus-Pump Concrete Sprint Series Final (400m) at Wednesday’s twilight Bulli meeting chasing a sixth win from his first seven starts.
A son of former boom greyhound Spring Gun, Kevlarr has already got Oldfield dreaming of more success.
“It’s always exciting when you get a good dog,” she said. “It definitely makes it easier to get out of bed.
“We are hoping for Group races with him, but you can’t look too far ahead.”
Appin-based Oldfield knows a thing or two or about good dogs, having been involved with greyhounds for most of her life.
The 62-year-old was introduced to the sport by her trainer uncle Billy Timmins as a child and was immediately hooked.
“When we went for holidays to my uncle’s place, I couldn’t get there fast enough,” she said.
“I’m not sure why I was hooked but it became my passion.
“My uncle used to give me a pound every time he came to Sydney. He would say I could back any dog but I’d always back one of his and he would usually win.
“You cannot get better dogs than greyhounds and it’s gone from there.”
Oldfield is best known for the ‘November’ series of dogs who earned her scores of victories.
Although she no longer breeds or owns greyhounds, she and husband Ron still train a couple and make a formidable partnership.
Kevlarr is among a promising litter sired by Spring Gun, who chalked up 18 wins from 27 starts in his notable career
Oldfield believes Kevlarr could eventually surpass that form but is concentrating for now on Bulli.
She is confident of victory but said box four could be problematic for her charge.
“He is desperate for the inside,” she said. “That was his undoing when he was beaten the one time.
“If you have the box four at Bulli then you have to come out well.
“He can come from behind as he is a strong dog, but I wouldn’t want him to get in trouble straight away.
“It’s not a pushover race and Bulli over 400m is pretty tough.
“If he gets a clear run (though) he should win.”
The race is one of 10 on offer and action starts at 7.05pm.
For full fields and form, check here.
