WHEN eight-year-old Reece Brandt was seriously ill and bravely enduring three months of hospital visits involving operations, dad Adam Brandt promised him “Anything in the world’’ when his ordeal was over.
Expecting to hear a request of something like a trip to Disneyland, little Reece said: “I would like my very own greyhound.’’
On Wednesday night, Reece and his family were at Wentworth Park to watch his greyhound Lock Master have his first race, and the dog didn’t let them down, careering away to win by four lengths in 30.07, easily fastest of six heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden.
Peter Lagogiane, who has won two of the three Million Dollar Chase finals at Wentworth Park, trains Lock Master and believes the dog can go “all the way”.
“The track was wet and the dog only jumped fairly but he can go a lot faster, as he had trialled 29.70 at Wenty before the heats,’’ Lagogiane said.
Reece’s dad Adam, a Newcastle businessman, said: “When all Reece wanted when he came through his hospitalisation was a greyhound, we took a trip to Nabiac to visit famous breeders Michelle and Mick Jones.
“They had two puppies remaining from a well-bred litter by Fernando Bale from Sheez My Chicki and I urged Reece to choose the one with the blue collar.
“But he was adamant he wanted the one he called Reddy, because he wore a red collar, and that is Lock Master. The dog got his name because Reece has always had a fascination for locks and winning first up at Wenty for home is a dream come true.
“In 2011 I owned a dog called Adam Meway who won 20 races and made six group finals, with a third placing to Radley Bale in the Golden Easter Egg his best performance.
“Who knows, maybe Lock Master can make up for Adam Meway’s group final disappointments.’’
Lock Master is a litter brother to Ice Cream Story, who had already posted eight wins at WP while Lock Master was waiting to make his racetrack debut.
Peter Lagogiane explained: “Several months back Lock Master tore ligaments in a stopper bone, so we sent him back to Mick and Michelle Jones’ property for 10 weeks to recuperate.’’
