Rockstar Fletch and his litter sister Rockstar Melody gave owner-trainer-breeder Chris Nutt a winning double at Dapto on Thursday but he believes their futures could be especially bright as stayers.
Rockstar Fletch led throughout to win a 520m maiden in a slick 30.02sec, defeating his fast finishing kennelmate and sibling Rockstar Beav by seven lengths.
Rockstar Melody scored her second win in four starts in a 520m fifth grade, stopping the clock at a fast 29.87sec despite being hampered in crossing to the rails.
"I reckon if she had an unimpeded passage Rockstar Melody would have run 29.70,'' Nutt said.
"She has always been quick and recorded 30sec flat in her first trial at Dapto when she was just 17 months old.
"There are six in this litter by Collision from Bekim Rose, who was a litter sister to the very good Victorian stayers Love Affair and Starc.
"Melbourne's Andrea Dailly trained Bekim Rose for me and she had a massive wrap on her, but unfortunately the greyhound broke a hock so had only three starts.
"She was always going to come back to Sydney to be a brood bitch and this litter, still only 20 months of age, is her first while she has had a second litter, now six months old, to Mepunga Blazer.
"Rockstar Fletch and Rockstar Melody went terrific over 520m at Dapto but they are bred to be stayers and Rockstar Beav is already racing like a middle or long distance performer.''
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AUSTRALIA's oldest living Socceroo, Jimmy Jenkins (Pictured), who has worked at Bulli greyhounds since 1963, is on the road to recovery after spending several weeks in hospital.
Jenkins, 97, has been kennel supervisor for the past 22 years, but has missed the past few meetings after taking a fall at his Corrimal home.
"I cracked some discs in my back but I'm on my way back and it's great to be home again,'' Jenkins said.
"My family has promised to take me to a Bulli greyhound meeting before Christmas.''
Jenkins was Australia's goalkeeper in two test matches against Yugoslavia in 1949 and played 132 consecutive games for his local club, Corrimal Rangers, before switching to Woonona United.
"In those days there was no money in soccer and after my two test appearances I had to return my Australian jersey and shorts so the next goalie could use them,'' he recalled.
"Not only that, it cost me money because I had to take three days off work and was paid the equivalent of around $15 for each test appearance.
"I obviously enjoyed soccer but greyhound racing was always my first love, from when I was 11 years old, in the early 1930s and earned pocket money exercising a neighbour's greyhounds before and after school.''
* Picture courtesy of Illawarra Mercury
