RICHMOND GREYHOUND RACING CLUB NEWS Weekly News from the Greyhound Leader
	PUNTERS CLUB STUNNING VICTORY
	Carlson Bale flying to a 12- length victory at Richmond, over 535M in 30.67	IT may have only been a maiden at Richmond worth $550 to the winner, but for 10,000 Punters Club members, Carlson Bale's stunning 12-length victory last night was akin to winning the lottery.
	A roar went up at the north-western Sydney track - and no doubt at countless pubs and clubs around NSW - when The Daily Telegraph's Punters Club greyhound streeted the field and paid a surprisingly juicy $1.60 for the win on the TAB. For most Punters Club members, it was their first ever starter at the dogs. The first time they had watched the lids crash open and their dog scurry in to the first turn. And it was the perfect start to the Punters Club - an impressive win on debut by our first-ever runner at the dogs. Young trainer Brendan Wheeler was not surprised by the victory, but he was blown away by the margin. "We always knew he was pretty good, but for a dog to run that time this early in his career is very pleasing," an elated Wheeler said. "There has been a lot of build-up and a lot of publicity about this dog so it was just good to watch him win. "It was one of the best maiden performances I have produced." Carlson Bale sizzled around the 535m at Richmond in 30.67sec - only 0.41sec outside Western Land's track record of 30.26. Jumping from box one, the son of Primo Uno was a touch slow to begin but was able to muster enough speed to lead around the first turn. He then showed great acceleration down the back straight to open up a huge space on his rivals and from there it was all over. Leading local bookmaker and respected form judge Brian Rylands was very impressed by the run and claimed Carlson Bale was well above average. "I was quite impressed with the effort and the time he ran was very fast," Rylands said. "Any dog that can break 31sec at the first start is pretty good, and he did it easy. "He is definitely a city-class dog." Rylands said the debut of the Tele's Punters Club dog was obviously the reason for the above-average crowd at Richmond, and punters were happy to take the short odds on offer for Carlson Bale. "There was a good cheer when he won," Rylands said. "I laid it at $1.50 and they kept backing it. "He paid pretty well on the tote ($1.60) considering how far he won by." Carlson Bale will now race in a maiden final at Richmond next Monday night. Trainer Wheeler said he would then start the dog at Richmond on Friday week (May 23) before eyeing an event at Wentworth Park. "I certainly think he is up to racing at Wentworth Park; he could be pretty special if we work on his box manners," he said. IT is never too late to join the Punters Club.
	Western Land with handler Mark Hardman, after his record 30.26 run at placeCityRichmond.  Pic: Craig Youll One of greyhound racing's most prized time standards fell by the wayside at Richmond last Friday night when exceptionally talented sprinter Western Land really put his best `paw' forward. While all track records are special landmarks, there are some time standards which are particularly sought after and I would include among those the track records which are spoken about in the most revered terms by participants being the main distance at Bulli (472m) and Parklands (457m) and the records over the `five hundred' at tracks like Sandown and Wenty. Another is the Richmond 535m mark of 30.42 seconds - held until last Friday night by Cool Mat since May of 2006, it has been under siege ever since and a few good greyhounds have gone close - with both Blazing Token (30.47) and Mandagery Man (30.49) giving it a real nudge at last Friday night's Derby meeting. But when it did fall a week later, the Frank Hardman-trained Western Land didn't just break it….he obliterated it, flying around the Londonderry track in a mind-boggling 30.26 seconds. Those of you who don't know Western Land well may be skeptical of the time, given the win was only the white and fawn dog's sixth in 27 races, but believe me, some of this fellow's runs over the past few months have been fabulous. And I'm not talking about the obvious ones likes a 30.03 win at Wenty or a half length second to Mandagery Man in his Derby heat - there have been several runs at headquarters in which he just hasn't been unlucky, he has been an absolute `tragedy beaten'. Richmond broadcaster Freddy Hastings had one eye on the clock and one on the dog once Western Land `flew the lids' last Friday and his call of a race where the winner scored by over 12 lengths was a beauty, as Fred anticipated that he and everybody on track and viewing on Sky Channel were witnessing something extraordinary. A Golden Easter Egg tilt now awaits Western Land, who gives the impression that whatever he achieves as a sprinter, he will most assuredly better once he steps to the six and seven hundred metres.
	CANNONBALL 2008 PRESENTATION POPULAR PETE'S WATERSHED WIN By John Mahoney Like most trainers, Llandilo conditioner Peter Lagogiane has experienced a few ups and downs during his time in Greyhound Racing. However, last Friday night was definitely one of the `ups' for the likeable conditioner, with the brilliant speedster Just A Fly delivering Peter his most important success, with an emphatic victory in the Western Weekender Cannonball Final (400m). Pitted again a hot field of short coursers, Just A Fly - sent out at the remarkable odds of 11/2 - tracked earlier leader Mud Cake until near the 618m boxes and then shot to the front, going on to defeat the fast-finishing Walk Lika A Man by three and a quarter lengths. Mud Cake held on for third in a smart 22.74 seconds. Raced by Tim Marchment, Just A Fly has now won six of her 18 starts and put back to back wins together at Wentworth Park during late December. She is by Just The Best out of Deni Fly and she and her seven siblings were reared and educated by Peter Rodgers, whom Peter says did a fantastic job with the litter. Peter was still on cloud nine when Greyhound Leader spoke with him on Monday. “This is my biggest win by far in greyhound racing and while the $5,000 first prizemoney is terrific, the prestige associated with winning the Cannonball far outweighs the cash, as it's traditionally a race that trainers cherish winning,” Lagogiane said. “I'm 36 years old now and have been involved in the game since I was 14, being a `strapper' for my mate Angelo Tsohalis from a young age and winning a race in town with the first dog I trained myself. “There are a number of people I'd like to thank for their help, top of the list being my partner Christine, who is an invaluable help at home with the dogs. “Jason Mackay is a legend when it comes to checking dogs; even went just taking to him on the phone, he makes so much sense and always points you in the right direction. “Anthony Azzopardi is another good mate, who is never off the phone, and he and I are always helping and bouncing ideas off one another.” Just A Fly gave Lagogiane quite a scare in the days leading up to the Final. “The bitch was feeling that well that she did herself an injury to the AC joint in her shoulder, and Chris and I worked overtime working on her to have her right. “I'm undecided about where to go with her next but there are some nice feature races coming up including one at Dapto, while a trip to Melbourne may also be on the cards. “It's nice to win a big race, especially when it's on your home track and I'd like to thank all the well wishers who congratulated me at Richmond following the race and in the two or three days since.”
	SAM'S HOMETOWN HERO SHINES IN RICHMOND DERBY Londonderry trainer Sam Sultana was sporting a grin as wide as the Nepean River after Mandagery Man saluted in the Group 2 World 4 Pets Richmond Derby last Friday night. Exiting box three, the locally-trained NSW Greyhound of the Year finalist was a popular winner of the $25,000 bounty against an impressive field in a near track record time of 30.49 seconds for the 535 metres. In the process, the Steve Goldsack owned son of Token Prince and Eriskay snared his second Group 2 triumph after taking out the WA Derby in 2007. Rising Lara sprinter Bo Frazier rattled home to finish second ahead of Orphan Point, who was always prominent after drawing the coveted rails alley. “It was a great run and it's a real honour to win the Richmond Derby,” Sultana said on Monday afternoon. “After what happened with him in this race last year (striking trouble when disputing the lead approaching the home turn), it was fantastic to see him right the wrongs. “All the omens were there; he drew the three again but this time he came out in a hurry and got a clear run. “I thought Orphan Point was going to be a big hope after drawing the red and Lucky Alive was also well boxed in the two. “Other likes Talks Cheap and Bo Frazier weren't ideally drawn but I was never going to discount them either….it really was a top field from one to eight.” Sultana believes Mandagery Man's box manners and general relaxed attitude have helped deliver him such rampant success, now being the winner of 24 of his 47 races and around $169,000 in stakes. “I knew from very early in the piece he was going to be something else,” Sam recalled. ““He went within a whisker of lowering the track record at The Gardens in his first ever start where he won by around 10 lengths. “Every time I race him, he is always sleeping and in his own little world on the way to the track, conserving his energy. “But once I take him out of the kennels, he is ready to roll; all business. “His adaptability to different tracks and conditions is another thing that helps make him a very good dog.” The veteran handler went onto cast doubts as to whether the white and black sprinter could improve even further, given his phenomenal recent form. “Apart from one ordinary run at Gosford (Gold Cup Final), he has won seven races since December last year and to be honest, I couldn't see him going much better than what he is at the moment," he said. “I will give him a few days off now then start preparing him for the heats of the Easter Egg on March 8 at Wentworth Park. “He enjoys racing at Wenty and all boxes there seem to come alike to him, so boxes would think he is some hope.” Not for the first time in recent years, the Richmond Greyhound Club put on a great show last Friday night on what is traditionally its biggest night of the year. GRNSW CEO Brent Hogan and public relations and marketing manager Tony Richens were special guests of the club, as were GBOTA chairman Bill Mangafas and director Sue Absalom and 2KY identities Terry Kennedy, Greg Radley and Tim Newbold. Recognition of the great relationship between Richmond Club and one of its long term sponsors, De Bortoli Wines, was acknowledged formally when the club bestowed full membership on the company's NSW sales manager Warwick Brook. Richmond vice president Ivan Tilley said on Tuesday: “Richmond Race Club has had a wonderful relationship with De Bortoli's for many years, initially with Kevin Scanlon, who is now retired and is a director of our club, and subsequently with Warwick Brook. “Warwick spoke magnificently in his acceptance speech; he is a real professional and with people of his calibre looking after its interests, De Bortoli's can only go from strength to strength.” Tilley was also vocal in his praise of last Friday night's other major sponsors, World 4 Pets and Globe Memorial Company. “The Attard family are wonderful supporters racing here at Richmond through their companies World 4 Pets and WAG Petfoods, and their support of the Derby over recent years has seen it reach its current record prizemoney level. “Globe Memorial Company is a family business run by Peter and Sue Darroch and their son Glen and the Darrochs are great supporters of greyhound racing, not only here at Richmond but also with the GBOTA at Wentworth Park.” This year's Globe Memorial Super Maiden attracted an excellent field of up and comers, with Paul and Brendan Wheeler continuing their brilliant winning streak in NSW provincial feature races when Furlong Bale (Elite State ex Tally Bale) finished strongly claiming the $10,000 winner's cheque from Smashing Amy and Elvy Bale in 31.11 seconds. While other racing highlights at a great meeting included Blazing Token's near record 30.47 seconds romp for Max Burdekin, Chevy Miss' 35.70 victory for Michael Manuel and the 35.85 win by Bev and Dennis Mahoney's War Hero in the Frank Kennedy Memorial. Richmond's next initiative is an `off track' one, with work commencing on the renovations to the Viewing Lounge, which will be completed over the next eight to 12 weeks. As Craig Youll's photo on this page shows quite vividly, the crowd in the viewing lounge last Friday night was a throw back to the 1970's and 80's and if the Richmond Club is going to continue to attract attendance's as big as last Friday night's on a regular basis, then the improvements will certainly be money wisely spent!

	2005-2006 Anual Report & Balance Sheet Financial Report for the year ended 30th June 2006 To be presented to the Members at the Annual General Meeting to be held at Richmond Raceway 312 Londonderry Road LONDONDERRY  NSW Thursday 28th 2006.