Footy mates enjoy Freakish Talent


Freakish Talent provided his trainer and owners a moment to remember at Sandown Park last night with connections recording their their first city win.

 

   • Poke The Bear runs 6th fastest ever time
   • National Greyhound Draft – greyhound ownership made easy!

 

Luckless in his first three starts, Freakish Talent began cleanly from box 6 and was never threatened, racing to a 6 length victory in a slick 29.53 to break his maiden status.

“Geez, we were just up the top (of the grandstand) right on the post and when he jumped straight to the front we were up there going, ‘you beauty!’” said part owner Dean Harrington.

“We know he’s strong once he gets going, but he can get in trouble at the start. To win like that, that was fantastic.”

Harrington and Freakish Talent’s trainer Patrick Newell are members of the Wallan Magpies syndicate which is predominantly made up of past players and Newell’s family. On Newell’s advice, the syndicate invested in two greyhounds and the results have so far exceeded expectations.

“We actually played in a Premiership together way back when, so we’ve known each other since, well I’m 49 and I would have met Patty when I was probably 16 or something. So it’s been a long time, and we’ve always loved a punt.

“It’s a credit to him because he was the one who put it together for us. He said, ‘we’ll go and buy two dogs.’

One of the dogs we got through Angela Langton, that’s New Samsation. Then this fella, not sure who we got him off but that was a different connection. Obviously he’s met a few people through greyhound racing, and that’s how I’ve ended up with this one.

“Patty actually said to me when we first got him he was nicknaming him ‘Dopey’ because he goes he’s got no idea. Then as he trained him, he said ‘this one, he’s got ability.’ One of the other owners Wayne (who was also trackside) wanted to call him ‘The Freak,’ but I said to Patty I didn’t think that’ll get through so we’ll go with Freakish Talent.

“So far we’ve had a bit of luck with him. New Samsation, she’s only had maybe ten starts but she’s won two and placed in a few as well.”

While the success on the track has so far exceeded expectations, the enjoyment the dogs have brought the syndicate off the track has been most rewarding. So much so, the syndicate rejected a lucrative offer for their city winner.

“Someone had obviously been impressed by his first start because a guy rang Patty and offered him some money to buy him. Patty said, ‘no, we want to keep him and have some fun with him.’

“It’s good fun because you know the thing with greyhounds is it’s obviously a bit cheaper to get into than horse racing. This is affordable, and you can have a bit of fun especially when you get to come and see them win.

“And it’s good way to be able keep in touch with people too you know? We played footy together 30 years ago, and greyhound racing brought us back together.”

 

Freakish Talent breaks his maiden status

 

Return to top

 

**********

Poke The Bear blitzes the clock

Poke The Bear reminded all why he is considered one of the country’s fastest chasers when he stopped the clock in 29.017. It was the sixth fastest time ever recorded at Sandown Park, and the fastest since Unlawful Entry set the track record of 28.951 in March 2016.

It had been 13 starts and over four months since Poke The Bear had drawn box 1 and the son of Fernando Bale clearly appreciated the rails draw. His 5.04 first split was the second fastest split he’d recorded in 21 starts at Sandown Park (he ran 5.03 on 30/11/2017) and the overall time shaved almost two lengths off his previous best set when winning September’s Speed Star.

The win improved Poke The Bear’s record from box 1 to 9 wins from 10 starts. It was his 31st win from 54 career starts and took his prize money to $444,225.

 

Poke The Bear runs 29.017

 

Return to top

 

**********

The National Greyhound Draft is just 9 days away!

One of the greyhound racing’s most innovative concepts will see 30 supremely well-bred pups drafted into 10 ‘teams’ led by some of greyhound finest trainers, owners and form experts from around the country.

There are 20 shares available in each team and offers a unique and affordable way of getting involved in the sport.

The National Greyhound Draft will be held on Sunday 16 December. For details, visit www.2018draft.com.au.

 

Return to top

 

 

Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
View all posts