Mr. Shire Smashes Track Record At The Gardens

By Jeff Collerson

Robert McColm can expect to be inundated with massive offers for his exciting middle distance greyhound Mr. Shire following the greyhound's record breaking effort at Unibet Gardens on Friday.

After being second early, Mr. Shire strode to the lead at the half way mark to win the 600m race by 10 lengths in 34.28, well inside the previous time standard of 34.40.

McColm's best mate, fellow trainer Jimmy McGlinn, said his pal was not surprised by Mr. Shire's record figures.

"We slipped Mr. Shire at The Gardens on Monday night and he ran home in 12.20, time that few of even the fastest sprinters can record," McGlinn said.

"You can never tell if dogs can stay until you try them over long distances but Mr. Shire certainly gives the impression he will run 720 metres."

However McColm is in no hurry to test Mr. Shire's stamina.

"He is just 26 months old and anyhow, I don't plan too far head, I just take my dogs' racing from week to week.

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Meanwhile, Jimmy McGlinn is about to prepare his outstanding one turn greyhound Bob's Uncle for a campaign on tighter tracks like Wentworth Park.

Bob's Uncle has won six of his eight starts, all on the horseshoe style, roomy Maitland course.

"I nominated Bob's Uncle for Maitland last Thursday but did not get a start because the dog is now second grade there so I will school him for a month on two turn tracks like Gosford before testing him at Wentworth Park," McGlinn said.

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Dyna Nerf was his fastest qualifier but trainer Simon Rhodes has an equally high opinion of Stubborn Bobby as he prepares the duo for Wednesday night's Dapto To Wenty final at Wentworth Park.

Rhodes landed a winning double in Thursday's heats at Dapto, with the Paul Wheeler-owned Dyna Nerf setting the time standard of 30.07 after a slick all-the-way win.

Rhodes' other winner, Stubborn Bobby, took 30.23 to score, but his performance was outstanding as he was cut out at the start, checked at the first turn and hampered again going through the catching pen.

"Dyna Nerf is a brother to Paul Wheeler's Dyna Maddie, who won a National Futurity heat at Wentworth Park in January, while Stubborn Bobby is by Swift Fancy from Bargo Scene so they aren't related," Rhodes said.

"I entered four greyhounds for the Dapto heats and when I trialled them post to post at Dapto beforehand, Justa Lonely Boy clocked 24.30, Stubborn Bobby 24.40, Dyna Overt 24.50 and Dyna Nerf only ran 24.86.

"Yet in their races Justa Lonely Boy and Dyna Overt were unplaced and Dyna Nerf improved a stack to win in the fastest time of the heats.

"Stubborn Bobby's only flaw is he can be a bit tardy early but he goes quick after about 10 or 20 metres.

"Unfortunately because the heats were on Thursday and the final is this week I won't be able to trial Dyna Nerf and Stubborn Bobby at Wentworth Park. I did not consider taking them to Wenty on Saturday for a hit-out because that would have meant running them three times in six days.

"Stubborn Bobby though usually goes well at his first run on a track, he generally only improves about half a tenth with the benefit of a trial."

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Smoke Da Judge, a gift from Paul Wheeler to his owner, Sydney solicitor Michael Taylor, stepped up to 590m at Bulli on Friday to score an all the way win in 33.68.

The time compared reasonably with Shoulders' track record of 33.16 and although Smoke Da Judge faded in the straight, trainer John Callaughan believes the dog will make a handy stayer.

"I told Michael a fair while back that Smoke Da Judge would win at Wentworth Park but when he did it was likely to be over 720 metres," Callaughan said.

"Michael has rushed from his suburban practice to handle Smoke Da Judge in each of the dog's past two Bulli wins, he just loves the sport.

"And more than 40 of Michael's mates, comprising people from all walks of life including some high profile businessmen, follow Smoke Da Judge's career keenly and they all go out to celebrate together when the dog wins a  race."