May'09 - Greyhounds Queensland

AT 67, you’d be expecting careerbricklayer Serge Livotto to be taking it easy.While he has handed over hisbricklaying business to son Dan, he stillfinds time to lend a hand a few days a week.That was until recently when he decidedto get fair dinkum about his greyhoundtraining hobby.Serge has been training a couple ofdogs from his Sunnybank home since theearly 1980s, and he’s been doing a prettyfair job of it.But now he and Jeff Williamson havedecided to form a sort of partnership in aever expanding kennel of dogs.“I’ve leased the racing kennel fromBevan and Elaine Williamson (Jeff’sparents) at their Greenbank property andJeff and I are having a go,” said Serge.The pair have been an instant hit withAlbion Park winners, the highly promisingRun Kodie Run and Bundy Assassin, aswell as Serge’s own Abundia Boo.Add to that veteran top grade sprinterAbundia Pete, a Collision and Surf Lorianpup, a Where’s Pedro-Perfect Shape and alitter of Token Jet-Tizza Hypo pups andSerge and Jeff are looking forward to thefuture.Jeff has stepped up to help Serge withthe training of the kennel.A carpenter for most of his working life,Jeff, 44, has tossed that in to makegreyhounds work.He’s been helping his parents for thepast seven years in their greyhoundeducation business, driving the lure for thepups in their education.When Bevan Williamson went backdriving the lure on race nights at AlbionPark on Mondays and Tuesdays, Elainegave away training a small racing team.Serge and Jeff were only too happy topick up the reins.Elaine has not been well in recent years,emphysema catching up on her and slowingher down. A kennel of up to 35 foreducation at times does not help.Serge brings to the team a successfultraining career.He started with Sharp Babe the winnerof a Melbourne Cup heat, a bitch Sergebred by Temlee from Sharp Rev.“I bought Sharp Rev from Sydney and Igot someone else to train her in the mid1970s for a few wins,” he said. “I put her to137JohnstonStreet,Casino,NSW 2470Ph (02)66622162Fax (02)66625602Liz Mob0427622163Serge Livotto and JeffWilliamson with Run KodieRun and Bundy Assassin.Temlee and we got a pretty good litter. Oneof those was Sharp Babe who was raced byKevin Fabian.”Sharp Babe had to be good. She livedher life just like any other pet dog, neverlocked up, charging up and down stairs,walking to the shops on race days withKevin’s wife, and galloping around apaddock all day … training herself.Serge got her to breed with after herLiz Brown BVSc (Hons)racing days and she produced a litter tothen star Brisbane galloper King Tokyo.Among the litter was a brilliant gallopercalled Surgakev who Serge Livotto took tothe top.“He held the Ipswich 431m track recordfor eight or 10 years and they only took itoff him when the track was reshaped,” saidSerge. “He ran 30.60 for the 512m when thatwas a hot run.”Serge has been winning races with aNorthern Rivers Veterinary Service* Camelot Farms accredited* Reliable friendly service from an experienced team* Reliable weekly transport service by Renzo Park* Large semen storage bank* Excellent pregnancy rate and litter size* Stud dog semen collection, evaluation and storage* Air-conditioned kennels* In-house progesterone and T4 testing* Price (frozen semen insemination)$495 all inclusive (includes GRA registration)Sergeand Jeffplan torunrivalsraggedtwo-dog kennel ever since always having ahandy dog able to win a few races and anoccasional city race.But these days he’s decided to get a bitserious. He has the time now that he isalmost retired from bricklaying.Run Kodie Run (Robust Character-JustLike Tammy) is an exciting prospect whoran 30.08 when beating Vince Curry Maidenrunner-up Bogie Bomber in a maiden final atAlbion Park.Run Kodie Run is raced by a syndicateheaded by Bevan’s nephew Glen. MargaretQuarrell reared him to perfection, as onlyshe can do.“Jeff and I are in a training partnershiphere,” said Serge. “He does the dogs in themorning and I come out in the afternoonand we plan their training and races.“It’s working out great.”GingerBlack ShirazDark HorizonRobust CharacterLight Of FireTranquil SceneTranquil FlameRUN KODIE RUNAcacia AblazeShape ShifterPretty WandererJust Like TammyRunning RapidTammy TambosityTammy TearsEar-brandingand Marking upGraham Haswell is available at thefollowing times for the marking up ofgreyhounds for naming and the clearanceof the greyhound’s registration certificatefor racing and/or other purposes. Proof ofvaccination may be presented at this time.Ipswich – Every Thursday Night 6-7.30pm (kennel block)Mango Hill Trial Track last Sunday ofmonth – 8-9amEar branding and marking up of litters isby appointment only.Clearance of Registration Certificates atother times is by appointment only.Contact: 54796640 or 0419 726773.The (May, 2009) Journal Page 14