November'06 - Greyhounds Queensland

Schoolmates takea punt and comeup winnersABOVE LEFT: Warped streets her rivals at Albion Park. ABOVE: Proud owners BenBlack and Zoran Pavlovski with their first dog, Albion Park winner Warped.EVER since they were mates at highschool, Zoran Pavlovski and Ben Blackhave been avid punters."We've been following the local dogsand trots since our school days at SandgateState High," said Zoran.The 25-year-olds went Internet surfinga year ago and came across the website forThe A Team."I just came across Tony and JaneApap's website and saw they had somepups for sale," said Zoran.The pups were Surf Lorian-GirlDiamond, and Zoran and Ben headedstraight up to the Gatton property andLetter tothe Editorlooked them over."Tony had a dog and a bitch from thelitter for sale," said Zoran. "We liked abitch from the litter. The bitch had actuallybeen Tony's daughter's pup but shewanted to sell her to buy a car."We talked Tony into letting us buy thepup."That bitch now races as Warped andfrom the Tony Zammit kennel she almostgave the first-time owners the biggest thrillof their ever-so-short greyhound racingcareer."She was beaten a nose at her first startat Albion Park, but she won the followingweek," said Zoran.The boys are very low-key owners.Zoran admits neither Ben nor hisfamily are aware they own a greyhound."My family don't like me gambling, soI haven't told them about owning the dog,"he told The Journal.Apap suggested the boys give Warpedto Tony Zammit to train and Zoran andBen have fitted right in to the Zammitkennel clientele."Tony is great, but he does like to havea chat," said Zoran.Warped has since won at the GoldCoast and looks to have a promising racecareer ahead of her."We are already thinking of a breedingcareer with her because she's a winner atAlbion Park and so well bred," said Zoran.Now that will be something to tell hisfamily.Nova 106.9 PromotionThe Brisbane Club's promotion withradio station Nova 106.9 was a greatsuccess during September, with greyhoundracing dominating discussion on the stationduring the month.A bumper crowd was on hand for thefun day. It was great to see Albion Parkalive with activity.Turnover was double a normal Fridaymeeting and nearly three times thecorresponding Friday in 2005.Congratulations go to Megan Nutall,who was the lucky winner of the $20,000in the Nova promotion.Megan is now a fan of the greyhoundWarped, who selected Megan's dog bowlfrom the 100 prize-winners.Warped came to the rescue when Teddythe Pomeranian had a case of stage frightand was more intent on running away thaneating out of a dog bowl.There was never any doubt agreyhound would knock back a freedinner, and it added to the drama andexcitement of the event.Dear Sir,I am compelled to respond to the Letterto the Editor on Page 3 in October's Journalpenned by Cory Austin.It is right when he says it is time for achange in racing. The two horse codes couldwell race at the same venue.Greyhound welfare is a major problem forthe GRA and Brisbane Greyhound Club.The chaotic traffic and summer heatwavespose genuine concerns.Cory Austin and Kevin Seymourconveniently disregard the welfare ofgreyhounds forced to travel at a snails pacein dog trailers in up to 40 degree summertemperature to race at Albion Park.Even allowing for the cross city tunnel,experts predict gridlock in the next 10 years.The Brisbane Club and the GRA have theforesight to realise that Albion Park isdoomed as a greyhound venue.They must now convince the RacingMinister of their animal welfare predicament.The General Manager of Animal Welfare atthe Department of Primary Industries, Dr RickSymons, could be of assistance whenoutlining the necessity for relocation to ananimal friendly accessible complex.ThanksKev GallowayWant a Good Tip?All CarBrokers794 Oxley Rd, CorindaContactDaryl & DeniseKavanagh0418 878880Have the Right Info for YouNew or Used CarsServicing the GreyhoundIndustry for 25 years2003 VY CommodoreGenuine one owner, fulllong book history. ABS,air, power steer &windows, CD, cruisecontrol, alloys. 102,000kmonly.$13,500 Special of the MonthThe (November, 2006) Journal Page 23