Bass Louder Aims To Boom At Bathurst

No-one is looking forward more to today's Bathurst RSL Club Soldier’s Saddle (520m) heats than Kevin Pearce.
 
The 77-year-old has been hobby training for almost 50 years but is entering the $10,000-to-the-winner race for the very first time with flying Bass Louder.
 
Pearce looks to have a strong contender, with his sprinter starting heat four on the back of five successive victories.
 
The retired farmer said he was looking forward to having a crack at his home track’s title.
 
“My reasoning has always been the bigger races are harder to win,” he said.

“A mate who gives me a hand handling my dogs said, ‘you should put this one in’.

“He’s not a world beater but he’s handy and a good chaser.”
 
Bass Louder, who jumps from box six, is one of the state’s most in-form greyhounds and has placed every time on his three visits to Bathurst.

He secured his latest win at Bathurst last week in an impressive 29.95 and is going well after a rocky start to racing.

“It’s just been TLC,” Pearce said.

“He was a very timid greyhound and I needed to work on him.

“When I take him out at night he’s always got to have a pat before bedtime.

“He is an intelligent dog and very likeable.”

Pearce, who ran a farm near MUDGEE but moved to Bathurst about 16 years ago, became hooked on the sport watching racing at NSW country tracks.

He always has a handful of greyhounds working at any one time and still loves seeing them in action.

“If I didn’t have dogs I wouldn’t get out of bed at 6am in the morning,” Pearce said.

“I have three acres and this keeps me busy.

“You have to prepare for bad luck and hang in there (but) I’ve made a bit of money out of it.

“I still get a thrill out of winning races as well.”

Other notables in this year’s heats include On Tilt (heat one), runner-up in the recent Group 3 Nowra Puppy Classic and a strong chance for this race.

Tassie Boy (heat three) and heat five’s Stumpy Grant are also worth watching.

Ten races are on the card at Bathurst and action starts at 4.04pm.

For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert tips, click here.