By Neil Brown
It’s with sadness we acknowledge the passing of longtime owner-trainer-breeder Des Moodie, aged 64.
He succumbed to cancer last week after a short battle with the dreaded disease.
Des was born into greyhound racing through his father, the late Des Senior.
He raced and trained in his own right for over 40 years with plenty of success from a small operation in Bentleigh and later a well-established purpose-built property in Skye.
By far his biggest win was the 1995 Australian Cup at Olympic Park. Bonjase jumped from the unfavourable box six and was near last early only to storm home and win easily.
Bonjase was also judged the joint winner of the 1995 Victorian Greyhound of the Year with Melbourne Cup winner City Blitz.
A fawn dog, Bonjase (Mar ’92 Benjason x Bonnie Trease) had 46 starts for 24 wins and nine placings and earned $100,605 in prizemoney. He also won the 1995 Warragul Cup and was runner-up in the 1995 Ballarat Cup. He fell at the first turn in the 1994 Melbourne Cup after starting favourite and finished third in the 1994 Sapphire Classic.
As a sire, he produced 213 litters and his best progeny were Mepunga Spark, Time Framer and Golden Tattoo. He was reared at close family friend Bob Douglas’ property at Heathcote.
Des was a very likeable character, always cheerful and ready to help a fellow participant in need of a hand. He kennelled several interstate visitors in Victoria for Group races – in particular Topgun winner Lindale Blue from WA.
The Victorian greyhound industry sends our condolences to Des’s wife Karen and family at this sad time.
