Caption: Penny Green with She’s a Pearl at Wentworth Park
By Dimity Maher (The Greyhound Girl)
Now, more than ever, participants understand the importance of not only introducing younger audiences to greyhound racing, but winning the war in keeping them interested, given the plethora of other avenues and distractions that the modern world has to offer.
Even a simple gesture such as letting a young person have a photograph with a greyhound, can develop their love for the animal itself and provide them with a memory to last a lifetime.
Recently at Wentworth Park, young enthusiast Penny Green proudly walked in front of her dad, as he led out their chaser Sonia Keeping in the G1 Peter Mosman Opal Final, beaming from ear to ear.
Eight young participants were chosen to carry out the finalists signs.
Dennis Barnes’ grandsons, who walked out with their pop during the pre-race parade, burst up the track after Nangar Lucy took out the event, to celebrate by his side.
From all reports, the youngsters had the time of their lives and a night to remember, following on from the success of the G1 Golden Easter Egg pre-race parade in which the eight chosen little ones received their own personalised handlers bib and sign to keep.
Penny received an added bonus that night, with Andy Lord’s kennel hands more than happy to give her the opportunity to grab a happy snap with star-chaser She’s A Pearl, following her victory earlier on that evening.
The smile on her face says it all and is something that should continue to be encouraged.
The experience is something these children will never forget, speaking as someone who won the opportunity to lead out a greyhound by the name of Likely Legend at 13 years old for the great Don McMillan at Wentworth Park back in 2001.
To this day, I’ve never forgotten a second of that night and it had me instantly hooked for life as a proud greyhound racing participant.
HUNTER Valley handler Aneke Van Vegchel achieved a lifelong dream last Monday evening at Maitland, boxing her first victory, Cop It Nick for her father, Chris.
The 30kg son of Cosmic Rumble recorded his second victory, clocking 22.85 over the 400m and received a well-deserved ice-cream treat post-race.
FELLOW Hunter Valley youngster Zac Shoe Smith continues to kick-goals in his handling career, boxing a greyhound at Gosford for the first time on Tuesday evening prior to heats of the Goldmine Series.
Ebby Explorer posted a handy third over the 515m for trainer Anne Foley, with Shoe Smith beaming after the performance.
QUEENSLAND trainer Jedd Naum notched-up his first winner as a trainer during July, with Cosmic Caper scoring over the 395m at Albion Park. Naum is a noted harness racing participant who’s worked with both trotters and pacers and has well and truly caught the greyhound bug.
FELLOW Queensland youngster Hayley Wooler notched up a winning treble at Townsville during July and is one of the most passionate young ladies you’ll ever meet in greyhound racing.
She’s having a fantastic year, being just her second since obtaining her trainers licence, with 35 winners and an incredible 79 placings.
