Simon Monitoring Northern Beaches Lockdown

By Jeff Collerson
Forestville-based Simon Ma, one of the few trainers whose kennels are in the Northern Beaches region, is anxiously monitoring NSW Government announcements concerning his area.

"I am at the most southern end of the Northern Beaches and if I was 500m further south, on the other side of the Roseville Bridge, I wouldn't have a problem at all,'' Ma said.

"I have not delved into whether I can race my greyhounds because I only have three in work and for different reasons they needed a few weeks break over Christmas.

"When the regional lockdown was in force earlier in the year I was able to travel to various tracks so I don't think there will be a problem, but at this stage I am waiting to see what happens.''

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Hoffa, who scored an upset win in Saturday night's Rising Star Final over 440m at Sale, is the right age for the Group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby but is unlikely to make the trip to Wentworth Park.

"I have the option of putting him on a plane and sending him to John Finn's Sydney kennels but I doubt that Hoffa is a genuine 520m dog,'' trainer Glenn Rounds said.

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Freakish Ethics, who broke down when a long leader half-way down the straight at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, may not race again.

After the race the dog was reported to have disclocated a hock but a subsequent x-ray revealed the injury was more severe.

Owner-trainer David Smith said: "He broke the second and fourth tarsals so will need screws in each of those places.

"The extent of ligament damage will determine whether Freakish Ethics gets back to the races again.''

When Freakish Ethics was unraced Smith told me the dog was the fastest in his successful kennel but injuries have restricted this unlucky greyhound to just 20 starts, which resulted in seven wins and seven placings.