Records Tumbling For Russell

By Jeff Collerson

Queensland trainer Darren Russell chalked up his second NSW TAB track record in a fortnight when Go Lassie Go won at Casino last Friday.

Go Lassie Go (pictured - courtesy of Lisa Vanderstok) sped over the 411m journey in 22.92, taking her record to 20 wins from 46 starts.

Her kennelmate Precious Sal had smashed the Maitland 400m record on January 25, clocking an unheard of 21.87.

Russell was in Sydney on Saturday night with another of his star performers, Snug, who produced an eye-catching first-up Wentworth Park performance with a luckless, fast finishing third to My Little Mate and Bad Boy Joe in a Golden Easter Egg Prelude.

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Out Of Range, winner of Saturday night's Group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby at Wentworth Park, is a descendant of owner Michael Puleio's first greyhound - who was a giveaway!

After Saturday night's come-from-behind win by the Seona Thompson-trained Out Of Range, Puleio recalled how 40 years ago he would spend his weekends assisting well known Melbourne trainer, breeder and Sandown committeeman Paul Hogan.

"As a reward for helping me out with his greyhounds Paul presented me with a young female greyhound which I named Walking Portrait,'' Puleio said.

"Walking Portrait became my foundation bitch and Out Of Range, along with his brother Poke The Bear, who recently won the Group 2 Traralgon Cup, is one of her descendants.''

Paul Hogan bred dozens of top notchers, but none better than the mighty Ragsie, who became the 1972 NSW Greyhound of the Year for Sydney trainer Paul Cauchi, after winning 16 of 30 races over sprint and long distances.

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"Everyone in Parkes seems to want to see Jock Colley in next month's Golden Easter Egg,'' said trainer John Jones after the dog's tenacious second Wentworth Park win on Saturday night.

The greyhound is named after the late chairman of the NSW Country Rugby League, who was a renowned Parkes sporting administrator and was bred by John Hutchings, who trained the dog's dam, Lady Arko, in the town.

"I'm not yet sure whether I will pursue the Easter Egg but one thing is certain, if I do I won't be giving Jock Colley a stir-up on race night,'' Jones said.

"I did that for his first few starts but discovered that hearing the lure whiz around before a race put Jock Colley over-the-top and he would miss the jump.

"He is a terrific chaser anyhow so since I have been by-passing the traditional pre-race stir-up, he has been jumping smartly.''

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Trainer Jason MACKAY believes he could have a top notch stayer of the future in his care after youngster Zipping Potter ran down his more experienced kennelmate Riley Tokaam over 600m at Dapto on Thursday night.

Zipping Potter gave Wenty crackerjack Riley Tokaam a big start and a beating, covering the Dapto middle distance trip in a smart 34.56.

"It's early days yet but Zipping Potter went into that race 'cold' as far as middle distance preparation was concerned and the way he got to the line I will be surprised if he does not become a top long-distance performer this year,'' MACKAY said.

Zipping Potter, who had not even raced at Dapto before last Thursday, has now won six of nine races and is only 29 months old.

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Londonderry trainer Chris Carl is the new secretary-manager of the Richmond Club, which will conduct its Group 2 classics, the Oaks and the Derby, early next month.

Carl quit his similar role at Windsor Leagues Club to take on the Richmond post.

Carl has been enjoying a tremendous run with his greyhounds, with his dog Rostered On almost pulling off a major upset on Saturday night when a close second to Out Of Range in the National Derby at Wentworth Park.