Caption: Dave Hobby and Sunset Spitfire

Each month, in the Chase Newspaper, greyhound breeding expert David Brasch provides a unique insight into this cornerstone of the industry. Here is his June edition column:

By DAVID BRASCH

DAVE Hobby, way over there in WA, has his fingers in plenty of pies.

Yes, he’s a great dog man, breeding, rearing, educating and training some glamour gallopers over a long time.

But, Dave’s also a businessman with a number of enterprises that must keep him so busy one wonders just how he copes.

Dave is also a man of faith, not the religious faith (although I can’t attest to that), faith in his own bloodlines and that is being proven more and more as time goes on.

In recent years, Dave cottoned on to the fact Fernando Bale and Barcia Bale, which he had used extensively with his potent damlines and so, so successfully, would be able to be combined with success.

It is a successful combination everyone around the country realised pretty quickly. Group 1 results don’t lie.

Dave, though, is one with faith in his own bloodlines. Which explains why he has given his own great race dogs, Sunset Spitfire (Mepunga Blazer-Sunset Jessie by Fabregas) and Zack Monelli (Barcia Bale-Penny Monelli by Magic Sprite), their chance at stud.

The great Hallinan family has followed his lead and are reaping early benefits through litters by Zack Monelli (i.e. Zipping Fowler and littermates).

Dave used Zack Monelli to produce Columbus Monelli (15 wins, $103,000).

But, it is Sunset Spitfire who is reaping great rewards for Dave through some very judicious mating plans.

Take the litter by Sunset Spitfire-Pixie Monelli by Fernando Bale.

It is highlighted to date by Sunset Mirage (finalist Canning Trophy, Dorsa Memorial, Cannington 29.74) and Sunset Hornet (finalist Mandurah Oaks, Good Friday Cup) etc.

Sunset Spitfire’s standout to date is Sunset Frazier (Sunset Spitfire-Sunset Octavia by Fernando Bale) 2nd in The Sandgroper, 3rd Good Friday Cup, finalist G1 Perth Cup, WA Puppy Classic.

Take great note of the two pedigrees above.

Both are out of daughters of Fernando Bale and therein shows just what an astute breeder, student of bloodline success, is Dave Hobby.

Yes, both litters bring in the G1 proven Barcia Bale/Fernando Bale cross, but what is the greatest influence in both pedigrees is the fact it powerfully links Fabregas (damsire of Sunset Spitfire) with Fernando bale.

This is one of recent Aussie greyhound racing’s greatest ‘nicks’ and is found in numerous Group 1 performers.

Sunset Frazier has a pedigree in-bred to Bombastic Shiraz 4xz4 and balanced via son and daughter, but also a double 4×3 of Collision.

Sunset Mirage and Sunset Hornet have an amazing pedigree.

Yes, they bring in the link between Barcia Bale and Fernando Bale, and the Fabregas/Fernando Bale ‘nick’, but they also have a 3×3 duplication and balance of Barcia Bale at the top and bottom of their pedigree.

All those who have ever studied pedigrees will know that this 3×3 theme at the top and bottom of a pedigree can be found in such greats as Token Prince, Worth Doing and Brett Lee’s own sire Gun Law Osti.

Token Prince was 3×3 in this position to Waverly Supreme, the other two 3×3 to Temlee.

It is a proven theme found in many great race dogs, but not often achieved.

Which also brings us to Skye Monelli (Orson Allen-Leisel Monelli by Fernando Bale) who has been impressive in some recent distance wins around Cannington.

It is the family of Elite State tracing back to that Queensland raced bitch, Another Fool, who would be the cornerstone of a dynasty for Reg Kay.

Orson Allen, sire of Skye Monelli, is by KC And All from Desalle Bale the brilliant speedster and litter sister to Barcia Bale.

There is the immediate Barcia Bale/Fernando Bale proven cross.

But, Skye Monelli’s dam Leisel Monelli is out of a daughter of Magic Sprite and we all know Barcia Bale has proven his worth when linked with Magic Sprite (Zack Monelli, Fast Times being just two greats bred this way).

And, Barcia Bale also worked fabulously with Premier Fantasy the sire of Skye Monelli’s 3rd mother Fantasy Monelli.

Superstars Mepunga Blazer and Orchestrate are just two bred on the Barcia Bale/Premier Fantasy cross.

Skye Monelli has all of these combinations, plus a 3×4 double of Gable Dodge.