By Brisbane Greyhound Club CEO Luke Gatehouse

A HIGHLIGHT of racing at ‘The Creek’ in October will be the Rising Stars (520m) worth an overall $27,250.

Now this may not be in the same prizemoney league as our Groups Ones, but its importance as an indicator of the health of our industry cannot be downplayed.

Townsville Cup winner Dulceria (Matt Heilbronn) is a likely starter (see story Page 17) as well as a bunch of other stars in-the-making. As far as quality coming through, the industry in Queensland is in a prime position.

However, ‘Rising Stars’ are not only needed on the track. It is key for our industry that our training ranks have a consistent injection of top quality ‘newbies’.

For almost a couple of decades this industry plateaued for a whole variety of reasons. One of the outcomes was an ageing training battalion. The new faces just weren’t being attracted to greyhound racing.

We still had the quality and experience within the older trainers, but everything in life needs rejuvenation.

In my 15 years at the Brisbane club I have seen a gradual change in the faces. In more recent times everyone has been buoyed by the increasing number of not just younger, but new faces coming on board.

Our training ranks now have more balance. And what is also heartening is the quality of these newcomers.

Also on Page 17 of this edition of Chase the spotlight is on one of these new faces, Jedda Cutlack. This promising young trainer is showing all the right signs that she has what it takes to be a success in what can be a tough game.

But training is also all about the long game.

During my tenure I have seen a heap of trainers come and go and some succeed across the test of time.

Greyhound training is no different than most of life’s endeavours. Success comes via hard work, dedication and a smidgeon of luck …  although most find the harder they work, the luckier they get.

There are no short-cuts.

But, there is also one other attribute that more often shines brightly from those who do succeed in the long game – a positive attitude.

The Zammit brothers – Tony and Mick – and Tony Brett (just to name a few of our prominent, long-time, full-time, successful trainers), all live and breathe optimism. They are not only great trainers, but good people to be around.

They are always on hand to give advice to people coming into the industry. They don’t keep their knowledge under lock and key.

So, for those that are coming into greyhound racing, at whatever age, you don’t have to re-invent the wheel. There are great examples of people who have ‘been there, done that’ and have succeeded and are only too willing to show you their roadmap.

Travis Elson and Darren Johnstone are more recent examples of people who have successfully made the transition to full-time greyhound participants.

Again, examples of passionate greyhound advocates who decided to ‘have a crack’ and go ‘all in’.

They also share that same positive attitude. Great people, and their families, to have in the industry.

So, all the best to the trainers who have Rising Stars in their kennels. And also, all the best to the Jedda Cutlacks of greyhound racing. We need you, but remember, there is already a well-worn pathway to success.