By MIKE HILL

FAR North Queensland owner Trevor Jackson has big hopes for a litter by boom sire Fernando Bale from his smart racing bitch Black Amex.

\”Although they\’re all girls, I\’m delighted,\” said Jackson, who lives in Cairns.

Black Amex and her first litter of pups, whelped early in March, are being raised at Paul Supple\’s Clover Cottage greyhound facility at Ettrick in northern NSW.

\”The vet said the pups were huge, which necessitated a Caesarean delivery,\” he said.

\”Black Amex was a big bitch. Her racing weight for most of her career was above 30 kilos.

\”It sounds like the pups are going to be big bitches, too.

\”There were seven pups in the litter – six black and one brindle – but unfortunately one of the black pups has since died.

\”I was told the mother had rejected it and Paul said it also had some health issues.

\”I haven\’t seen the pups yet, I only have photos.

\”I had flights booked but because of the coronavirus they were cancelled.\”

Like any owner, Jackson said he had high hopes for the litter.

\”I\’ve already sold three and I will keep three,\” he said.

North Queensland trainers who prepared Black Amex during her impressive career – Shane McKenzie (Cairns) and Keith \’Jacko\’ Jackson (Townsville) – have already put their hands up for a pup each.

\”Another person also wants one,\” said Jackson.

\”I will keep two of the black pups and the brindle.\”

He said he had sought advice from Chase columnist David Brasch, who owns \’Pedigrees by Design\’,  about a suitable sire for Black Amex.

\”I wanted to go to the best – Fernando Bale – but it\’s no good if he\’s not a match,\” said Jackson.

\”I was delighted when David recommended the super sire.

\”We had to wait three months to get the straw and then another three months for Black Amex to come on season.

\”The Northern Rivers Veterinary Clinic at Casino did all the work with the straws.\”

Jackson said, despite Black Amax being a success on the track, he wanted to breed from her because of her wonderful demeanour.

\”She has a beautiful temperament, nothing is a problem for her … she doesn\’t even bark,\” he said.

\”I\’ll be leaving my three pups with Paul to rear, I\’m not sure what the others will do.\”

Jackson said he was a little disappointed there wasn\’t at least one dog in the litter.

\”But you only have to look at the gallops to see that the girls can shine – look at Winx and Black Caviar.

\”I think dogs and horses are similar.\”

Black Amex (El Grand Senor-Rocket Banquet) ended her track career with an impressive 19 wins and 18 minor placings from 46 starts, including wins at Albion Park, Ipswich, Capalaba, Cairns and Townsville.

She began her racing under the guidance of Glenn Smith before heading north to Shane McKenzie in Cairns and later joining Keith \’Jacko\’ Jackson\’s Townsville kennels.