Caption: The Col Curtis-trained Diva Signal narrowly wins over 520m at Ipswich last month. Owner David Wolfinden will box the dog in a semi-final of the $145,750 Golden Chase (520m) at Ipswich on Saturday night. (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos).

MIKE HILL’S weekly wrap of greyhound racing at Ipswich

TOWNSVILLE owner David Wolfinden will have the thrill of boxing his ‘ímproving’ sprinter Diva Signal in a semi-final of the rich Golden Chase (520m) at Ipswich on Saturday night.

In true Queensland spirit Wolfinden, who has had a long association with the sport, has come south to help his sick mate, Churchable-based trainer Col Curtis.

“Col’s had RSV (respiratory syncytial virus – a virus that infects the airways and lungs) for a bit over two weeks and I am looking after his dogs,” he said.

“He has four racing dogs in work.

“Col spent four days in hospital, but is home now and on the mend.

“He’s just taking it easy, but is still not well enough to work his dogs.

“He’s being looked after by his wife (Joy) and he’s giving me instructions from the bedroom.”

And in a big plus for the team, Diva Signal is the only runner in the four semi-finals (not including the reserves) that actually went under the hammer on sale day at the 2022 Ipswich auction.

The other 31 qualifiers were processed through the buy-in category, although some of those pups were later sold to new owners.

Wolfinden, who is semi-retired and loves fishing, said he’d owned dogs since the late ‘80s and had trained a bit, on and off, over the years.

“Col and I became mates when we worked together in Townsville between 1987-92 and the friendship has continued ever since,” he said.

“I sent down some money for him to buy a pup at the 2022 Ipswich Puppy Auction, but the one I selected was too expensive so Col and Joy picked another pup for me.”

Their selection – a brindle dog (Beast Unleashed-Mini Diva) – now races as Diva Signal.

“He’s a lovely-natured dog,” said Wolfinden.

“He chases really well, he’s a real honest trier.

“He’s a little bloke – he weighs just over 28kgs – but he’s a sound dog and he’s well and truly paid for himself.

“He was a $4000 purchase and already he’s won more than $22,000 (seven wins, 10 placings from 34 starts).

“Col’s done a great job with him.

“However, he has his work cut out in the semi-finals.

“He’s up against some handy dogs and I don’t think he can get down to the times some of them are running.

“But it’s a dog race and anything can happen; and we’re in it.

“He’s still a young dog and is improving all the time.

“He’s only had a few starts over 520m.

“I feel he’s getting a bit stronger, although he has started to miss the kick a bit of late.

“He was a quick beginner early in his career but lately he’s been getting a bit excited and moving his legs up and down in the boxes.

“If his legs happen to be up in the air when the lid lifts he misses the start.”

Wolfinden said he boxed Diva Signal in the heats last week and was looking forward to doing the same on Saturday night in the semi-final with the winner and runner-up progressing to next week’s $100,000-to-the-winner final.

Meanwhile, leading trainer Tom Tzouvelis is facing what potentially could be a huge night with seven runners in the four semis after producing a winning treble in the heats last week.

Tzouvelis was successful with Scarlatti scooting home in a sizzling 30.08s, Saanvi (30.28s) and Gone Walkabout (30.52s).

This week he rugs up Scarlatti (box 5) and Mo’at (box 8) in Race 5 (semi-final 1), Saanvi (box 3) and Tsu’tey (box 1) in Race 6, Scripted (box 3) and Gone Walkabout (box 4) in Race 7, while Pursuer jumps from box five in Race 8 with Duffman, trained by Tzouvelis’s assistant Jedda Cutlack in box one.

Tips for what promises to be four absorbing Golden Chase semi-finals:

Semi-final 1: Scarlatti 1, Johnny Koala 2, Bootin’ Boodie 3, Cool Bananas 4.

Semi-final 2: Saanvi 1, Tsu’tey 2, Mukali 3, Rusa Range 4.

Semi-final 3: Kia Kaha 1, Comedy Act 2, Scripted 3, Out The Bottle 4.

Semi-final 4: Duffman 1, Hush Hush 2, Another Level 3, Pursuer 4.

IPSWICH is gearing up for a monster night of racing next weekend.

Headlining Saturday’s (April 13) program is the $100,000-to-the-winner Golden Chase Final over 520m with feature supports including the $11,600 Keith Sternberg Memorial (630m), the $11,600 Past Members (520m) and the $10,500 Golden Chase Consolation (520m).

PATRONS are reminded that there will be no racing at Ipswich on Thursday, April 18, and instead the club will stage its 288m meeting on Wednesday April 17.

The same situation will apply the following week with the club closed on Thursday, April 25 (Anzac Day) with 288m racing on Wednesday April 24.

The club will stage heats of the $60,000 QGold series over 431m on Friday April 19 with the final a week later.

Owners and trainers are also advised that the club will be closed between May 10 and May 23 inclusive due to the Ipswich Show.

RQ advises that Ipswich meetings during this time have been transferred to the following venues:

• Friday May 10 (Day) – Albion Park;
• Saturday May 11 (Night) – Rockhampton;
• Tuesday May 14 (Night) – Albion Park;
• Friday May 17 (Twilight) – Albion Park;
• Saturday May 18 (Night) – Rockhampton;
• Tuesday May 21 (Night) – Albion Park;
• Thursday May 23 (Day) – Capalaba.