MY Bro Bruno's win at Wentworth Park last Wednesday - the dog's first in 20 attempts after eight minor placings - had special significance for owner-trainer Charlie Riccio.
"My Bro Bruno is named after my late brother Bruno, who died at the relatively young age of 63,'' a slightly emotional Riccio said after his greyhounds defeated China O'Brien and Regal Twist in a 520m fifth grade.
"Bruno was the grandfather of singer Mark Vincent, and he virtually raised Mark who has gone on to become an international stage and cabaret star.''
Few realise that Vincent got his start via greyhound racing, entertaining guests at a GBOTA Golden Easter Egg launch at a Brighton-Le-Sands restaurant when he was a 13-year-old youngster.
After winning Australia's Got Talent in 2009, Vincent, whose voice can be heard singing the National Anthem before each Wentworth Park fixture - a recording made when he was just 15 - was signed by Sony Records and by the age of 20 had released six studio albums.
"My Bro Bruno had been placed in eight of 19 Wenty races before Wednesday's win and while his previous start at Nowra, when he finished fifth on September 22, was disappointing, I have come to the conclusion the dog simply does not like that track,'' Riccio said.
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AN outstanding winning performance by Princess Nala over 600m at Dapto on Thursday night has trainer Lynne Aldous hoping to give her versatile performer another tilt at long-distance racing.
Princess Nala has been placed over 720m at Wentworth Park and in May won in near record time over 722m at Nowra but her career has mostly been restricted to sprint or middle distance events.
At Dapto on Thursday Princess Nala gave the in form Furious Not Fast and group one staying winner Veloce Nero a start and beating over 600m, stopping the clock at a slick 34.76sec.
Princess Nala dashed up to that pair with a lap to go and despite being trapped three wide and hampered, she swept around them to win comfortably.
"Whenever I try to set her for a proper long-distance campaign something always seems to happen,'' Aldous said.
"Previously she has either picked up a little injury or come in season but the way she is going right now I am praying to be able to give her another crack at staying races.''
Princess Nala has won 17 of only 38 starts, but Aldous concedes she may not have time to get her greyhound ready for the group 1 Sydney Cup heats over 720m at Wentworth Park on October 11.
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AWESOME Catch, who qualified for the Wentworth Park semi-finals of the Million Dollar Chase with a luckless third in the Nowra regional final on September 22, again showed his liking for the Glebe track with a scintillating solo trial on Saturday night.
Awesome Catch won each of two starts at Wentworth Park exactly 12 months ago, and the Victorian-trained speedster showed he was going as good as ever with a 29.71sec effort over the Chase journey of 520m on Saturday.
While his sectional times were 5.59, 14.04 and 18.13, Awesome Catch's extraordinary run home figures of 11.52 indicate he will be hard to hold off at the finish of any 520m event.
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THERE'S A Catch, third in Saturday night's Wagga regional final of the Million Dollar Chase, will have a guaranteed cheer squad when he contests the semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 11.
Trained by Ray Henness, at Heathcote, near Bendigo, There's A Catch has 10 owners based in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
Henness had two starters in Saturday's Wagga regional final, with his other runner Extra Gear, who represents 20 different owners, finishing sixth.
"I have been syndicating greyhounds for several years now as it is a great way for newcomers to become involved in the sport for little cost,'' Henness said.
"After buying a percentage of a greyhound they have no further expenses as my share of the prizemoney covers veterinary, food and travel costs.
"Extra Gear, who has won 25 races, finished third in last year's group 2 Shepparton Cup while There's A Catch has had six wins and five placings from 17 starts.
"I intend coming to Sydney next week to give There's A Catch a trial at Wentworth Park so he knows where he is going when he competes in the Chase semi-finals.''
