“A bloody good ride” – that is Ken Gill’s verdict of his brief but spectacular journey with ERNIE Bung Arrow.
The SA sprinter (pictured with Gill, courtesy Greyhound Racing Victoria), who won 21 of his 24 races and snared three Group victories, has been retired to stud After sustaining a career-ending bicep injury.
After being sidelined from racing for most of 2014, ERNIE Bung Arrow looked to be returning to form with another success over 400m at Gawler earlier this month.
He sustained an injury in that run, though, which has forced veteran trainer Gill to call time on his charge’s career.
“I’m still emotional now,” Gill said.
“It got me a bit teary when we knew he’d have to stop. The vet who saw him was a bit teary as well.
“I will never get another one like him – well, I wouldn’t think so.”
ERNIE Bung Arrow exploded onto the racing circuit in June last year, winning his first eight races.
He will probably be best remembered for his brilliant all-the-way victory in the 2013 Group 1 Adelaide Cup.
Watch the footage of ERNIE Bung Arrow's Adelaide Cup win here.
The son of Lochinvar Marlow and Slipper’s Tonic also captured the Group 3 SA Derby and Brian Johnstone titles before sustaining a chipped wrist early in 2014.
He returned After almost nine months out for an unsuccessful defence of his Adelaide Cup crown but at least finished on a winning note, although that proved a bittersweet moment for Gill.
“He pulled up lame After the race and then started getting filling in his leg,” Gill said. “I thought it was a monkey muscle but it was a torn bicep muscle.
“He wouldn’t race again so we had no choice – that was it.”
Gill said he had received messages of support from well-wishers across Australia and as far as New Zealand After confirming his greyhound's retirement.
ERNIE Bung Arrow is currently in a steel brace while he recovers from his injury.
He will stay with his trainer as a pet and be used for stud service over the coming months.
Although saddened by his greyhound's premature depature from racing, Gill is looking forward to a happy future away from the track with ERNIE-bung-Arrow">ERNIE Bung Arrow.
“He’s still a baby yet – not even a three-year-old,” Gill said. “He’ll stay with me and we will see how he goes.
“It was a big thrill just to have him - it was a bloody good ride.”
