Carnegie Hall’s breaking in times were so slow owner-trainer Mick Traino had the son of El Grand Senor and Arica Dora earmarked for a life in the adoption programme.
But at the last minute Mick decided to give the dog more time to mature as a race dog and his foresight paid off handsomely when Carnegie Hall won last Wednesday’s 400m Richmond Maiden Final in a nippy 22.70.
Mick has always been a huge fan of Billie Holiday, the world’s leading jazz singer of the 1930s, 40s and early 50s, who became the first African-American to perform at Carnegie Hall.
The venue, built in 1891, is New York City’s foremost concert venue so it was only natural Mick should also name a bitch puppy after Holiday who was known throughout the music world as Lady Day.
“Carnegie Hall’s litter sister which I called My Lady Day is faster than her brother,’’ Traino said.
“She finished second in a performance trial in 22.70 at Richmond Before missing the jump and suffering a minor injury when fourth at her race debut there.
“Because of that My Lady Day is having a a couple of weeks off but she will win races.’’
Mick Traino sold a pup from Arica Dora’s previous litter to his barber, CHRIS Madonis, who trains greyhounds as a hobby at Miranda.
“Last Monday night the pup CHRIS purchased from me, Cosmic Aura, led all the way to win a 280m maiden at Wentworth Park in 16.34," Traino said.
"It’s been a great week."
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Evil Punk surprised favourite backers by giving the highly talented Xtreme Knocka a start and a beating over 600m at Dapto on Thursday but won’t be continuing with a middle distance campaign.
Instead trainer Jimmy Coyle plans to nominate Evil Punk for a 520m race at Wentworth Park on October 18 Before heading south to trial the dog over 515m at Sandown.
“I’m looking at nominating Evil Punk for the Melbourne Cup at Sandown,’’ Coyle said.
“I have received an invitation to allow the dog to be considered for selection in the field for the Topgun at The Meadows on October 25. While I don’t really expect him to be included in the final eight it was gratifying to see that in Melbourne they have acknowledged his ability.
“Before last Thursday’s race Evil Punk had only been over a middle distance once previously but that was around a year earlier and he wasn’t going as well then as he is now.’’
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Owner-breeder David Brewster has a fear of spiders so it is rather quirky that he should name one of his most promising greyhounds after the technical name for the deadly funnel web.
But that hasn’t precluded Atrax Robustus from displaying outstanding ability on the trial tracks and the dog posted a brilliant 22.47 for the Maitland 400m in a maiden heat last Wednesday.
Atrax Robustus will now contest the final at Maitland on Thursday and his Wentworth Park debut is not far away.
“He has always trialled well at Maitland but has also run quick times at The Gardens so he can handle both types of track,’’ trainer Peter Honnery’s wife Connie said.
“He is a litter brother to Karma Connie who won for us at Wentworth Park on September 5 but his racing career was delayed due to a leg injury.’’
David Brewster, a bus driver, deserves a good greyhound or two as he bravely paid $5000 for Mad Manalishi, the dam of Karma Connie and Atrax Robustus, when she was just three months old.
“I bought Mad Manalishi Because she was a daughter of the great brood bitch Sutro Star,’’ Brewster said.
“Mad Manalishi broke a leg at only her second start so while I didn’t get much from her on the track she is a promising brood bitch.
"That was always the plan when I bought her.’’
