Category: Dogs

On A Mission (aka “Penelope”) and her Point Cook owner, Kasey Millsom, 16, share a special bond. It’s a case of “you know we belong together, you and I forever and ever”. And if you’re thinking I’m referencing long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away, you’d be right! When Penelope was an 11-month-old pup, she broke her right foreleg in a freak accident while playing with her brother in a yard. Subsequently she underwent surgery involving the insertion of plates and screws. And due to development of her own ‘growth plates’,…

Avalon’s Daniel Gibbons will launch a three-pronged challenge in the $36,000 Group 3 Carlin & Gazzard Mount Gambier Cup (512m) on Sunday. Gibbons ‘terrific triumvirate’ – Mr. Anderson (29.41sec – Best), Yahiro Bale (29.47sec) and Titan Blazer (29.57sec) – were all impressive heat winners on the weekend. They’ll fly the Victorian flag along with the Shane Richer-trained Wharfie, which was second to Mr. Anderson (beaten 2.75L), in the $26,000 to-the-winner final. “But deep down, I’d like to see Titan Blazer win a Group race before he retires.” Ironically, Mr. Anderson…

For many observers/punters, Hector Fawley may have been one of the forgotten runners in the heats of the rich Group 3 Launching Pad (515m) at Sandown Park last Thursday night. It was a case of being out of sight, out of mind. When Hector Fawley sizzled around Sandown in 29.25sec way back on November 3, reaching the Launching Pad’s eligibility limit with his sixth career win, the rich restricted wins series wasn’t on the radar. Lisa Cockerell’s homegrown son of Bernardo and Rolanda Hooch and a grandson of dual G1…

Young trainer Jake Loverso was in disbelief as his star chaser Lektra Heckler took out the $74,335 Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup (450m) on Saturday night. This was 27-year-old Loverso’s first runner in a group final and it was a night he will never forget as Lektra Heckler blitzed a star-studded line-up from the moment the lids opened, leading all the way in 24.952sec. Lektra Heckler is unbeaten in eight starts for Loverso, who leveraged on his close relationship with breeder/owner Phil Lenehan to get hold of the rising…

A “last minute decision” to nominate litter brothers Always A Thrill and Fire Hose for the $74,335 Group 2 C.K.H. Painting Shepparton Cup (450m) could pay a handsome reward for veteran Sale trainer Chris Tilley on Saturday night. Tilley, 76, celebrated a memorable ‘family’ heat double on Monday with Fire Hose and Always A Thrill, which both had the advantage of box one, clocking 25.12sec and 25.15sec, respectively. “It was terrific they both won, but the hard part was kneeling down for two photos!” Tilley laughed. “But if they’re giving…