So just a little cheery news story to give you something to smile about. Many of you who have been around a long-time will remember that a number of the guys on this board went into a greyhound syndicate. Our boy, who's stablename is Eel, was formally named Cumberland Black and he's been a great dog for us.
Prior to his last run, he'd raced 84 times for 16 wins, 18 seconds and 13 thirds for a better than 50 per cent average place percentage.
However, he's never quite been able to crack a city win.
Anyway, he's getting on. He's four and half years now, which is typically as long as any greyhound races and Cumberland Black is even looking a bit Cumberland Grey, but he's came back this preparation under a new trainer to try and qualify for a sprint series, and actually ended up the top point scorer and won his way into the $20k final which was held last Saturday night at Wentworth Park.
And here's what happened.
I was out there with my two boys to watch the win in person and we got to go up with other members of the syndicate to accept the trophy and get some photos taken. Here's a story that was written about him yesterday!
http://www.thedogs.com.au/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsId=6555
Birthday Bonus All White For WayneWritten by: Stuart Turner
As birthday bonuses go, a $20,000 windfall and scoring a dream victory certainly beats aftershave for Goulburn’s Wayne White.
Hobby trainer White’s greyhound Cumberland Black scored a super victory in the GBOTA Challenge Sprint Series Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.
The veteran sprinter claimed the biggest win of his 80-plus race career, taking out the $20,000 top prize on Saturday night in thrilling fashion.
It was also a biggest win yet for White (pictured with connections, far left), who has been involved in greyhound racing since 1970 and turns 58 tomorrow (Tuesday).
“I almost lost my voice cheering him home,” White said after the race with a huge grin. “It was awesome.
“Over the 40 years we’ve had handy greyhounds who won $2000 races at Dapto, but this is something else.
“That’s why I think I had a tear in my eye (at the finish). It’s a dream come true.”
Cumberland Black had to fight all the way to win Saturday night’s race, seeing off rival Shilling Flex by just a length to triumph.
Click here to watch a replay of the race.
The much-travelled $9.40 shot is four-and-a-half and has only been mentored by White for a couple of months.
“I’m so pleased for him,” White, who combines training with his job as a train driver, said. “He is the loveliest dog you could find.
“He was giving two years on some of those greyhounds out there and yet he was still strong enough to win.
“It just shows that if you look after your greyhounds, they can get wins for you whatever their age.”
The win took Cumberland’s overall record to 16 wins and 31 minor placings from 84 starts.
Cumberland Black’s victory was all the more surprising considering his unusual transport arrangements for the big race.
“Normally we have a station wagon and trailer, but they weren’t available tonight,” White said. “I had to use my sister’s little Hyundai to drive Cumberland Black here.
“He didn’t seem to mind. He just laid down on the back seat and slept the whole way.
“Maybe it’s our lucky car now!”
White thanked Cumberland Black’s owners – a syndicate of Parramatta Eels fans – and his doting wife Julie and son Jake for their support.
“My wife loves Cumberland Black to bits,” he said. “He is the most beautiful-natured greyhound.
“I couldn’t have done this without them. This is fantastic for our family.”
Replies
That is a good story 1eyed; better than what has happened to our team and management this week.
Great news, some at least. lol
$9.40? A heads up would have been nice!
Hope you had a bit on?
I actually nearly missed the whole thing. I get email alerts when he runs but half the time I miss him running. Anyway, got the alert that he was running at Wenty and pretty much I just thought it's going to be close to the last time he runs in town, so I should go down and see him and the boys were keen. Anyway, only when I get there and check out the race book do I realise he's running in this Group 3 race. To be honest, I expected he'd do his usual thing of running a brave race but from box five I thought he'd be hard-pressed winning. So had a little flutter on him, but not a lot.
I didn't think it was likely but I've just checked my mug in the mirror and you're right Phil, I'm smiling!
Any more happy stories 1Eyed?
Nath, big effort to make it from Canberra!
Congrats Phil,
I have had had dogs for past 7 years and won everywhere except WENTY. That is great. Old boy at 4.5 years and winning at Wenty in that time is something special..... more to come mate......
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