Steve White has won some of the sport’s biggest titles – but said seeing Tommy Brislane’s winning return to racing last night was his “greatest achievement”.
The 2014 NSW Greyhound of the Year finalist (pictured, white rug) returned from more than a year on the sidelines with a victory in a fourth/fifth grade race over the 460m at Warragul.
Despite only being “80 per cent fit”, Tommy Brislane came home by almost two-and-three-quarter lengths in 25.79 – only 0.04 off the best time of the night.
White is already aiming his greyhound for a potential crack at next February’s Group 1 Temlee and Australian Cup titles at The Meadows – but said for now he was just delighted to have him back racing.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
“I’ve won half-a-dozen Group Ones and several Group Twos and Threes, but getting him back has got to be my biggest achievement.
“It’s been a team effort. I’ve had great advice from a few people and my wife has been brilliant with her support too. It’s great to have him back.”
Tommy Brislane was one of the country’s standout performers in 2014, winning 12 and placing twice in his first 16 races.
The son of Premier Fantasy and Mary Virginia won the Group 1 Dapto Megastar and the Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint and scored nine Wentworth Park wins, including a best time of 29.64.
He had only just turned two years old before injuring ligaments in trials for the Group 1 Topgun shortly after his victory in the Bob Payne last September.
The greyhound’s recovery was then hampered by other injuries, including a damaged toe earlier this year.
White, who recently moved to Victoria from his former NSW South Coast base, said his greyhound had loved heading to the boxes again.
“I was a bit worried he would be so pumped up that he’d miss the kick, but he was fine,” White said.
“He knew what he was there for and seemed quite relaxed when he got to the front.
“I think he was about 80 per cent fit, but I just wanted him in a race where he could get to the front. If he got tired, it didn’t really matter.
“He did get tired but his class got him through.”
Having successfully come through this first test, Tommy Brislane is already being primed for some big races.
“The Melbourne Cup (next month) is probably a bit too soon for him,” White said. “My main goals are the Temlee and the Australian Cup.
“We will try and take it easy and just race him back to full fitness.
“I just wanted him to get through last night - and that’s what he’s done.”
