Caption: Anthony Pomerenke and Tip Top Ethics after victory in a heat of the Bundaberg Grand Prix (531m) on Monday. (Photo: Uncle Rusty’s Photos)

By PAT McLEOD

Anthony Pomerenke’s initial foray into greyhound racing may have been hatched over too many beers, but the end result is sobering.

Pomerenke says he now has an enduring passion for the breed and a blossoming training career.

“I just love being involved with them,” he says with genuine delight about his decision to own and then train greyhounds.

“They are a great animal to be around and the training side of it is challenging, but also a really satisfying learning experience.”

After holding a training licence for just over 10 months on Monday Pomerenke lines up for his first feature, the final of the Bundaberg Grand Prix (531m).

His very handy bitch, Tip Top Ethics, was the fastest winner (30.51secs) of this week’s two heats and looms as a major winning threat.

“I believe she has got what it takes to win on Monday,” said the Bundaberg-based Pomerenke, who is a disability support worker.

“She has good early speed, but there are some good dogs in this final, so we will just see how we go on the day.

“The other heat winner, Venice Bale (Ken Boody), is a fast dog.

“But it would be great to win this.”

He may not yet be up with the Group 1 crowd, but Pomerenke has come a long way in greyhound racing in just a short time.

He explains his dive into firstly greyhound ownership happened when he and a mate had a few too many beers and while in the party mood they decided to go halves in a greyhound.

They didn’t wait, but went ‘straight to Google’, located a dog for sale and went halves in the $1000 purchase.

That first venture into greyhound ownership didn’t result in success, but Pomerenke persisted with greyhound ownership and began to learn more about the industry.

He started talking to local trainers, such as Brian Terry, and then made the decision to move from greyhound owner to trainer.

As fate would have it, his first starter as a trainer, Dark Energon, in a 407m race at Rockhampton in October last year, won by a narrow margin and paid $8.50.

“That really was amazing, to win with my first starter,” Pomerenke said.

“I was hooked before then, but that was a great feeling.

“The other trainers have been very helpful, people like Brian (Terry) and Travis Elson.

“They are always willing to help out, especially with advice.

“At the moment I have just the four race dogs and a brood bitch.

“I will stay around those numbers.

“I have only had a couple more wins, but am learning a lot just with second-hand dogs.

“I am the sort of person that when I decide I want to have a go at something I am all-in.

“When I started I had three goals – to win a race; to win a race at Bundaberg; and to win a race at Albion Park.

“I have achieved the first two and am working towards the third.”