When he finally makes his initial racetrack appearance few first starters will have been as well prepared as Big Tee Rex, who has clocked race-winning times in each of three performance trials.
Trained by Troy McDonald, the golf pro at Kooindah Waters course, Big Tee Rex posted a slick 22.86 winning a 400m performance trial at Gosford last Thursday.
And that came after a 25.51 Maitland 450m performance on January 22 and a sizzling 22.45 effort over 400m there on February 12.
“Big Tee Rex is a huge 38 kilogram dogs and at this stage is a bit over the top to start racing," McDonald said.
“He is only 17 months old as well.
“I’m trying to get him accustomed to race conditions before he has his first start but he is obviously a very quick dog.’’
Big Tee Rex’s debut is set to be delayed even further with McDonald entering hospital today for an ankle reconstructions, which will put a brake on his golfing and greyhound training activities.
XXXX
Jack Flash scampered over the Gosford 400m trip on Thursday in a slick 22.85sec but trainer Ian Betts is not confident about the winner of seven from 34 races ever being able to run 520m.
“He has a windpipe problem which causes him to cramp up when he goes much further than 400 metres,’’ Betts said.
“I’m looking for a solution to this but for the present he’ll continue to contest short course races.
“Jack Flash is pretty smart because he won his 400m maiden at The Gardens in 22.70.’’
XXXX
Trevor Rice, who landed a winning double at Gosford on Thursday with Best On Broadway and Pad Tighe, learned the finer points of training while working for legendary trainer and studmaster, the late John Clayton.
Clayton trained Olympic Eagle, winner of the inaugural 1978 Potential Stakes at Wentworth Park, with 50-year-old Rice beginning his involvement in the sport when he was 16.
“Johnny Clayton would pick me up from high school so I could go and help him work and trial his greyhounds,’’ Rice said.
“Among the greyhounds I handled for him were Lease Of Life, who won the 1984 Association Cup at Harold Park, along with the extra smart Swift Talent.’’
Best On Broadway, who clocked a brilliant 29.88 at Gosford on Thursday, was a bargain buy for Rice who bought the performed bitch for a mere $1000.
And Thursday’s Gosford win was far from a “one off’’ as Best Of Broadway has won twice at Wentworth Park, the most recent being an all the way victory in late November.
XXXX
Chad Gerrard, who won with Iona Rascal in a slick 22.86 at Gosford on Thursday, got his first taste of greyhound racing while working part-time at Wentworth Park race meetings while a high school student.
“I lived at nearby Newtown and later was employed working on the ports at Newcastle which is where I eventually got into greyhound racing,’’ Gerrard said.
“But that only happened after my other passion, motor cycle racing came to an end when I broke my back in a smash.’’
