October'07 - Greyhounds Queensland

Giveaway bitchproves a Blessingfor CaitlynCAITLYN Donnelly is a determinedyoung woman, specially when it comes toher new-found love of greyhound racing.And when Valhalla (Lindale Blue-Solar’s Blessing) won first-up at AlbionPark recently, it justified everything shehas had to go through in the past couple ofyears to get this far.Caitlyn, 20, is the eldest of five childrenin Andrew and Lea Donnelly’s family.Andrew’s dad Frank was a dog man inAdelaide most of his life. Andrew himselfraced a few dogs with limited success.But it is Caitlyn who has got the familyback into greyhound racing in the pastcouple of years.“I spent 14 years in the medical corpsin the Army,” said Andrew. “After I leftthe Army I brought my family to live onsix acres at Pine Mountain (just outsideIpswich).”In the late 90s, Andrew’s dad Frankwas dying but convinced his son he shouldget a greyhound or two.“I got a bitch called Rachel’s Rocketon lease through the old Sporting Globe inVictoria and we won a couple of races atAngle Park with her,” said Andrew.When Andrew and Lea brought theirfamily, Caitlyn, Andria, Robert, Meganand now John, in a station wagon to liveat Pine Mountain in 1997, Rachel’s Rocketwas in the car as well on her way to abreeding career.“When we arrived at our new home,we decided to mate Rachel’s Rocket andshe went to Hanson Diamond, producingeight pups,” said Andrew. “Four went toVictoria and two won, but of our four thebest we did was a third placing at Capalabain a maiden with one bitch.”That cured Andrew … but not Caitlyn.A couple of years ago, Andrew was outplaying golf one Saturday morning. Hisdaughter was at home pouring through thegreyhound classifieds section of TheWeekend Shopper.“I got a phone call to tell me there wasRIGHT: Lea, Andrew and CaitlynDonnelly with Valhalla after her AlbionPark victory. BELOW: Valhalla opens hercareer with a win.a giveaway broodbitch in the paper,” saidAndrew. “I was told the pedigree and thenasked what the bitch had done on the track.“I suggested they forget about it, butCaitlyn and Lea went half way across townand got her anyway.”It was Solar’s Blessing. She was alreadysix and had won a few prizes in the showring.“We had her a week and she came onseason,” said Andrew.The bitch was sent to Tony Apap to bemated to Lindale Blue. “Tony was fabulousin the help he gave Caitlyn. Solar’s Blessinghad eight pups and we sold two, lost oneand have ended up with five.”The expenses of rearing, then breakingin and now training that five-dog kennelhas been Caitlyn’s mission for the past twoyears.Caitlyn is studying law at university,works part-time at the Bank of Queenslandat Goodna, and picked up another parttimejob at Woolworths to help pay for thedogs.“She also saved up to buy a walkingmachine and an ultrasound,” said a proudCorey Pearce Picsdad.“Our hope was that we might win acouple of races and we would be happy,but when Valhalla won at her first racestart, the entire family was overjoyed.“We watched the video on the win 20times that night and Caitlyn watched itherself at least another 20 times after that.”The kennel has particularly high hopesfor a dog in the litter named Par Oneri,named after an Army Corps motto whichmeans “Equal to the Task”.The Donnelly admit they have not beentempted to breed with Solar’s Blessingagain. “We just can’t afford it, but shelooks fantastic and lives a great life aroundour home,” said Andrew.While the greyhound team is Caitlyn’sthing, the rest of the family all help out andall of them celebrated the victory byValhalla.“Caitlyn has done a wonderful job withthose dogs,” said dad. “She loves ‘em all.”81 Glebe Rd, Silkstone Q 4304Phone/Fax:07 3281 1277Delivery AvailableFresh Quality Pet FoodUNDER NEW MANAGEMENTWON ON EVERYCITY TRACKBlackTragically retired dueto hip support injuryLeeWinner Gateway to the Top (Alb Pk)Runner-up 2005 Perth Cup (to Sun Hero)Third 2005 Adelaide Cup (to Collide)Finalist 2005 Silver ChiefWinner Alb Pk 30.19, 30.20 (23 mths), WP 30.20 (24 mths), Mead 29.86,30.19 (26 mths), SP 29.80, 29.82 (28 mths), Ang Pk 29.34 (29 mths),Cannington 30.38 (31 mths). Never reached full maturity. Won on all citytracks in Australia. Contested Group 1 finals.Fee: $550 (incl GST) Now doing Progesterone Testing(For 6 months, conditions apply. Bitches must have won circle or straight.)Wayne Crick (07) 55467617 or 0417 735935Fresh Roo Mince $3.00kg (5kg Lots) Min 100kgFresh Beef Mince $3.20kg (5kg Lots) Min 100kgFresh Beef & Roo (Racing Mix) 10% Fat $2.65kg Min 100kgFresh Bulk Chicken Necks $1.50kg (5kg Lots) Min 50kgFresh Bulk Chicken Wings $1.50kg (5kg Lots) Min 50kgAlso AvailableFresh Brisket BonesRoo TailsLamb Brisket BonesPuppy Mince $2.10kg (5kg Lots) Min 50kgPersonalising service for your dogs and their needsDelivery to all areas, including country areasFull range of Kibble, Vet Lines & SupplementsAll enquiries ask for Jason or TammyThe (October, 2007) Journal Page 23