In human terms, they would be eligible for a pension.
But a field of eight greyhounds with ageless legs, who have won a cumulative 177 races and around $695,000 in stakes, will line up in a classic Veteran Special Event (400m) at Geelong tonight.
The ‘eight wonders’ whose minds are still making appointments their legs can keep are in Race 11 at 10.28pm:
1. Charlie Cockatoo (10 wins – $43,925)
2. Dyna Hunter (27 – $141,958)
3. Peter Galo (43 – $187,535)
4. Zipping Clive (20 – $93,895)
5. Dyna Uni (13 – $56,640)
6. Zipping Mack (Scratched)
7. Italian Plastic (30 – $104,525)
8. Manila Kampyon (22 – $48,370)
Reserves:
9. Three Toots (12 – $19,065)
10. Johnny Wishbone (12 – $62,601)
Expert form analyst The Watchdog has assessed Peter Galo, who boasts a 60% winning strike rate, as the $2.80 favourite. And rightly so!
The Garry Selkrig-trained star has contested five group race finals (including victory in the 2018 G2 Shepparton Cup) and holds Healesville’s 350m track record (18.65sec).
However, there is much mystique surrounding former star Dyna Hunter who hasn’t raced for nine months. He was tailed off in a Free For All (400m) at Geelong on August 16 last year.
A five-time group race finalist, Dyna Hunter (Mar ’16 Dyna Villa x Crystin Bale) won last year’s G2 Warragul Cup (460m). He was also runner-up in the 2018 Ballarat Cup (450m).
But his Pearcedale trainer, Steve Collins, says Dyna Hunter has dropped both back muscles during his career and subsequently “has lost around 4-5 lengths over 400 metres”.
“I wouldn’t put him in if I didn’t think he would be competitive… But I wasn’t expecting a race like this!” Collins said. “We weren’t going to bring him back, but he just wants to race… He has lost a little bit, which is to be expected, but he’s still got some spring in his step.”
Dyna Hunter is a docile type who means business on the track.
“He’s so friendly… When he’s home in his kennel, all he wants is his tummy rubbed. But he really switches on when it comes to racing,” Collins said.
Collins agrees with The Watchdog that Peter Galo is the one to beat.
“He’s amazing and is still flying for an old dog.”
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