Like Father, Like Son: Another Hardman Bathurst Cup

Michael Hardman continued a proud family tradition when he trained Zulu Warlord for the dog's dazzling all-the-way win in Friday night's $25,000 to the winner Bathurst Cup final.

His proud father Frank revealed he had won the same race "in the 1980s.''

Frank said: "I can't remember the name of the dog but I clearly recall the win because I had picked him up one Saturday afternoon at the old MOSS VALE track.

"As I was hosing down one of mine in the wash bay the bloke next to me was complaining his greyhound was useless and asked if I wanted to take him home.

"On the spur of the moment I agreed and after leasing the dog finished up winning a Bathurst Cup with him.

Frank Hardman's career as a trainer got off to a great start when he won the 1971 Dave Alexander Memorial final at Harold Park with his brilliant speedster Crazy Paving.

He was rarely without a smart greyhound over the next 40 years and while now retired, he thrills at watching son Michael's continuing success.

Not surprising considering Wandy On Over, Frank Hardman's last city winner, at WP in October, 2012, was owned by Michael.

"I was pleased to see him win a big race with Zulu Warlord because Michael works so hard with his dogs, and thought nothing of making the five hours round trip from his home at Goulburn to Bathurst a couple of weeks ago to give Zulu Warlord a pre-Cup trial on the track,'' Frank said.

Meanwhile Michael acknowledged the input of his dad when discussing Zulu Warlord's Bathurst Cup win.

"The old man reckons I don't listen to him but I do and nearly everything I've learned about training greyhounds has come from Frank and respected trainers like John Finn and Doreen Drynan,'' Michael Hardman said.

"Zulu Warlord was a bit sore in the wrist after Friday's Cup win so will have a couple of weeks off and then I'll plan his next campaign.''

Troy Robinson was forced to take out a trainer's licence when he inherited 13 greyhounds following the death of his father John in November.

The Belmont-based "rookie'' trainer didn't take long to land a winner with the aptly-named John's Call scoring a runaway win over 272m at LADBROKES GARDENS on Saturday.

John's Call was only Troy Robinson's third starter, as the dog had finished second at Taree 72 hours earlier while kennelmate Gagan Dolly had been fifth at the same meeting.

"I had been helping dad with his greyhounds for many years but had not held a trainer's licence,'' Robinson explained.

"When my father passed away I was left with 13 greyhounds so took out my own licence and while John's Call, my first runner, was unlucky when second at Taree, he won well at The Gardens.''

Dip It In had to play second fiddle to his undefeated kennelmate Jungle Deuce at Wentworth Park on Saturday night but trainer Jack Smith has a high opinion of the dog and is setting him for the heats of the Temora Cup on February 28.

"The 520m at Wenty is as far as Dip It In wants to go but he would run it out more strongly if only he jumped better,'' Smith said.

"Because he tends to miss the kick he has to use up plenty of gas to reach the lead, and then he is left with little in the tank at the finish.

"Still he has had two wins and a second from four Wentworth Park 520m starts and has clocked 29.89 there after leading from the first turn.

"I think the 457m at Temora will suit him perfectly.''