Former first class cricketer Darren Pattinson will take a two pronged pace attack in tonight’s group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial.
And his two runners couldn’t be more different – an underrated veteran with good early speed, and a highly regarded pup with a devastating finishing burst.
“It’s a bit surprising. I knew Blazin’ Bomber would go well but Beckenbauer was a bit of a surprise,” said Pattinson after both greyhounds qualified by running second in their heats for tonight’s $36,000 final.
“Rocky (Beckenbauer) is over 4 years old now. I thought he could lead his heat but he’s not really strong at the end, but he just kept going and going and at one stage I thought he was going to hold on and win.”
An 88 race veteran, Beckenbauer is owned by Darren’s brother, James, who returned to the Australian Test team in Hobart today and is sure to tuning in at the end of the day’s play.
“James is really good to train dogs for. He watches all of their races but doesn’t put any pressure on me or the dogs.
“He actually suggested retiring Beckenbauer if he wins the final but he just loves going to the races so I couldn’t do it to him – he loves it too much. It’s really satisfying to make a group final with a dog like that he’s one of the favourite dogs in the kennel.”
While Beckenbauer is nearing the end of his career, Pattinson’s second runner Blazin’ Bomber’s star continues to rise. Blazin’ Bomber has missed a place just once in 19 career starts (a TAB Melbourne Cup heat), winning 12 times and is widely regarded as one of the fastest chasers in the country. He has already won at this level having won the Cranbourne Puppy Classic in September, defeating Shootout winner Kayda Shae and Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Double One in the process.
“It was a really pleasing run,” continued Pattinson referring to ‘Bomber’s’ effort in last week’s heat.
“He got a little lost at the first turn and spotted the leader (Lamia Bale) too much of a lead. Lamia Bale won this race 12 months ago and has been a top chaser since, you can’t give dogs like her a start so he’s got to be a bit closer this week and hopefully he will be.”
Blazin’ Bomber has shown poor speed at box rise throughout his career, meaning he needs clear running room early to show his blistering mid-race speed.
“It’s slightly frustrating but there’s not much you can do about it. He’s always been the same, he’s just never really begun that well and that’s why we stepped him up in distance. Hopefully he can get a clear run, get on the lure and if he can do that he could run any time.
“He’s only just turned 2 and we haven’t pushed him too hard. We’ve taken him to Sydney and Adelaide but he’s had breaks in between, compared to the rest of the field he’s very inexperienced so we’re looking for him to improve with racing.”
Pattinson had to wait until he was 27 before making his first class cricket debut, going on to take 171 wickets in 63 first class matches for Victoria and Nottinghamshire, as well as famously appearing in one Test match for England in 2008. Now 36, Pattinson has been training greyhounds for a little over two years but despite his relative inexperience, has trained 83 winners in 2015 (at an impressive strike rate of 27%) including two group 3 wins. After years spent on the road playing cricket on both sides of the planet, Pattinson is enjoying the stability and routine that come with being a full time greyhound trainer.
“Being away for so long playing cricket you miss being at home. I love training the greyhounds because I am at home and I like being in a routine. I wake up in the morning and know what we have to do, whereas cricket was a bit all over the place. I worked with dad (as a roof-tiler) before I started playing cricket full time and it’s great being able to work with him again now. I know that’s something that James really likes too, the fact that he’s on the road a lot but he can come here and spend time at home and with the family.”
Since Pattinson retired from cricket in 2013, he has invested heavily in his Pearcedale property and sees a bright future in the sport.
“We’re very happy with what we’ve got here, just need to get some more fast dogs in the kennel and we’ll be right!”
The $36,000 group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial will be run as race 6 at 8.48pm. Click here for the free Watchdog form guide.
