Rose Sannette has been one of the queens of country racing over the last two years but Tuesday’s Gosford meeting may be one of the final chances to see her in action.
The hugely consistent bitch goes from box four in the Triple H Osteo Care Kincumber Stakes (515m) aiming to further improve her remarkable 91 per cent placing record.
She has only failed to place five times in 55 starts since making her competitive debut back in September 2012.
Owner-trainer Kevin Johnson is thinking of retiring his charge and said it would be a sad day when she departs the track.
“In 40 years of training, she’s the most intelligent greyhound I’ve had,” he said. “It’s amazing.
“It’s like she’s human – she just knows everything.”
“She just has the ability to go well whenever she races.
Rose Sannette’s victory at Gosford last Tuesday was her 27th triumph in a career that has included wins across the state.
It was only her third career outing at Gosford but she showed again what a classy and versatile performer she is.
“I didn’t think she would go well at Gosford,” he said. “She normally likes a longer straight at the start.
“If she gets in front, though, it doesn’t seem to matter how long the straight is.”
Johnson said he is planning to shortly retire her shortly, although there may be one last notable achievement to secure.
The 73-year-old is planning to take her back to Wentworth Park – where she has had one win from one outing – for her final race if she goes well at Gosford.
“Years ago we would drive around Australia, but I don’t like the travel so much now,” Johnson said.
“If she goes well at Gosford then we might take her back to Wentworth Park shortly.”
Training greyhounds is a labour of love for Johnson, who works from a 250-acre property at Wherrol Flat, close to Wingham on the Mid-North Coast.
“I don’t think people outside the industry realise how great greyhound’s natures are,” Johnson said.
“It’s wonderful bringing a greyhound into the world and seeing them grow from babies into racing dogs.
“I really enjoy it.”
The race is the sixth of ten at Gosford with action starting at 6.55pm.
Meanwhile, Space Star, who broke the 600m track record at Gosford last week, goes over the same distance in race eight.
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