Caption: Doug Helton, left, and Mick Zammit on one of their many Cox Plate trips.
(Chase Newspaper September 2023 edition)
By DAVID BRASCH
IT might have taken only 23.28 seconds for Rocklea Earle to overcome a troublesome run before winning a 395m Maiden at Albion Park on debut, but for his owner Doug Helton it has been 35 years in the making.
Rocklea Earle is named after Doug’s late father Earle who died 15 years ago.
The pup, by Barcia Bale-Paint Face, was bought by Doug from Mick and Selena Zammit.
Doug and Mick have been flying from Coolangatta to Melbourne for the Cox Plate racing carnival every year for the past 20 as part of a bunch of racing mates, and the pair catch up often for drinks and a meal during the year.
“Mick had some pups for sale and I decided to buy one,” said Doug.
“I liked the fawn dog and bought him. Mick gave him to me for mate’s rates of course.
“’Group 1’ (Zammit’s nickname) was very confident going into the race and I had a good bet on him.
“It is my first greyhound winner for 35 years.”
Doug and his late sister Linda were a highly successful training partnership back in the Gabba days racing such classy gallopers as Linda’s Liberty, Pee Sixty Six and the likes.
“Linda’s Fury was my last winner as a trainer,” said Doug. “That was 35 years ago at Capalaba.”
Doug’s cousin Ray trained greyhound of the year Gallant Anne.
“I had to name this dog after my late dad Earle,” said Doug.
“Earle loved a punt, loved a drink and everyone at Rocklea trots knew him. He was there every single week.”
Doug, a former telecommunications whiz with Telstra, has been tossing some of his retirement money into thoroughbred syndicates with what he describes as ‘limited success’, so he welcomes the greyhound racing winner despite having to wait so long.
“I like to think of Mick and Selena as my private trainers,” joked Doug.
“The pup looks very promising and Mick assures me he will continue to improve and get stronger.
“But, it is still Mick’s shout at the bar during this year’s Cox Plate tour.”
