Qld's 2004 Greyhound of the Year - Greyhound-Data

TWO of Australia’s most prestigiousclassics were run on the same night last month,the National Futurity and National Derby andas both these races can do, they create specialstories and emotional scenes.Despite the number of $100,000 racesaround the country now, both these Group 1events will never lose their value. It was anight where relief, achievement andjustification came for trainers John Westerloand Ken and Mary Wright.Westerlo was close to tears as Lukeamyscored one of the most staggering Group winsin the Futurity.Eiffella reduced his trainer Ken Wrightto tears as he won a Derby the race his trainerhas been trying to win for 15 years.The Derby has a special affiliation to anyowner, trainer and breeder, it has been thecase since its inception back in 1963.Wright finished third in the Futurity withAll Style an hour earlier and then theWentworth Park champ Eiffella won his 12thrace at the track in just 16 starts, running anear track record and race record to beat ahot Derby field.The victories of both Lukeamy andEiffella will be talked about in years to comeas we look back at the history of both Classics.Each year there is personal triumphsamong the beaten division and this yearyoung owners and trainers played a part inthe final field of both races.Two-year-old bitch, Frosty Fruits, awinner of six races from 14 starts going intothe Futurity final was provided with a greateducation by her patent trainer CraigChappelow (pictured right).Fortune had been on his side from thestart, lucky to have the bitch, Chappelow tookher to Goulburn back in November to winher first two races then made the transition toBulli with success, Dapto then WP.Craig is friends with trainer Glen Suterwho had a full kennel at the time when FrostyFruits was due to enter his kennels. Suter rangChappelow and asked if he could take thebitch, informing him she would be city class.Frosty Fruits is owned by two AFLidentities, Mat Frost and Brett Allison. Frostworks closely with Swans coach Paul Ruseand Allison is also part of their coaching teamafter his success as a player with NorthMelbourne during their premiership successin the late 90s.Craig comes from a well-known andsuccessful greyhound family and contributeshis success to his father Ken who has beentraining for 25 years.The family, along with Craig’sgrandfather Aurther, grew up with one of thebest conditioners of their era, the late JohnClayton who was studmaster of the famousMenangle Park Stud. He also trained trottersbefore turning to the chasers. Craig’s uncle,Gary, is also a trainer.Craig has been an employee at WP forsix years working in the kennels and assupport starter on race nights.NSW NewsGary ClarkCraig was in anunfamiliar position thisnight.“I’m used to workingon nights like this, but nowI’m part of it, it’s a strangefeeling.“I didn’t get the nervesuntil walking to the boxes,had it been Sandown orAlbion Park it may havebeen different as WP is likemy own backyard butreality sets in quickly,”Chappelow said.Frosty Fruits’ futurelooks to be contesting themajor classics which maynow include the NowraClassic, Canberra Classic, QLD Futurity,Ladies Bracelet, Peter Mosman and YoungStar, all run in the next four months.“The boys have me travelling aroundAustralia now they have tasted Group racingwith their first dog,” Craig said.The Easter Egg is also an option but itwill mean taking on open class and the best,and the trio will determine that in the nextfortnight.Now 27, Craig was always destined topursue some path in the sport.He would spend time on his family’sproperty during school holidays and thateventually led to him being a finalist in aYoung Trainer of the Year. He raced Lots OfFire who won nine races, a dog he bredhimself.He has always had a passion to work withplanes and after doing an apprenticeship insheet metal he now works as an engineer inthe International terminal at Sydney Airport.If five years of training, with a handful ofdogs, can result in preparing a Group 1finalist, then Craig Chappelow is a fineacquisition to the sport.Damian hits the jackpotThe UltimateThe Ultimate greyhound timer is abreakthrough for the greyhound industryand trainers.It's portable and is suited to both straightand oval tracks. The Ultimate can be usedout of the boxes or for handslips.Two models are available in both 240VAC or 24v DC battery operated.The Budget Model includes the Timerunit, Limit Switch, Sensors and Cabling.The Premium Model has all of thecomponents of the Budget Model butallows for multiple sectional and overalltimes.The Ultimate is easy to operate andinstallation is simple and is very much doit-yourself.CostPremium Model - Approx $3000Budget Model - Approx $2000ClientsThe Ultimate is currently being usedaround Australia.Included among the users are:* Ipswich Club* Qld breaking-in tracks- Encounter Kennels- Golden View* Paul Wheeler kennel in NSW* Doctors Kennels in Victoria* Leading Qld trainers- Reg Kay- Paul Felgate- Ray Russell- Sarah Pringle- Ray BurmanContactAll inquiries to Kevin JacksonPh 0418 784120or (07) 33498036Email: deejayjay@bigpond.comINTERSTATE truck driver DamianQuigg pulled in at Newcastle just beforeChristmas for an overnight stop ... and wenthome to Beenleigh as a greyhound trainer.Quigg, 50, decided to have a drink at alocal pub which just happened to have beensold by the publican.“I put $50 through the poker machinesand got a jackpot ... the machine just keptpaying,” said Quigg.“But the publican said he couldn’t payme the $1200 I had won. I knew he hadgreyhounds and I suggested I would takeone of his dogs and a bit of cash and call itquits.”The greyhound is Moonshine Davgar(Galilee-Jessica Davgar) and when sheswapped ownership late last year had notstarted since October 2004 and had raced36 times for four wins and 10 placings.Nothing to write home about, butDamian was happy to be a new greyhoundowner-trainer. His wife Mary didn’t knowwhat to think.“It didn’t surprise Mary when I camehome with the greyhound,” said Damien.The publican brought the dog around tothe pub the morning after Damian’s win andhome the red fawn bitch went to Beenleighalongside Damian in his truck.Beenleigh locals have been givingDamian a few tips on the art of training, acrash course you could say.“I went straight out and bought a kennel,Damian and Mary Quigg and the jackpot.and have been walking her and then walkingher some more,” he said.“Maybe I’m going through a mid-lifecrisis, but I like to sit in the pub having apunt, so it will make a change to be racingmyself.”Moonshine Davgar has some claim tofame. One of her direct female ancestors isTemora Lee, dam of the legendary Temlee.The (March, 2005) Journal Page 22