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DECEMBER 2004 CLUB NEWS
CHRISTMAS AT CAPALABA
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JACK RUSSELLS SHOW HOW IT'S DONE AT CAPALABA
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The mighty midgets were back at Capalaba on Sunday 18th December entertaining all and contesting through 2 heats into a deciding final. The winner of the day, by a nose was Brontie, owned by Lynne Collins. It was a tight finish and the photo finish lynx had to be consulted to make the final decision.
The Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club would like to thank the Jack Russell's and their owners and trainers for helping make it a great day.
 
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THE GREYHOUND ADOPTION PROGRAM WITH THE EX-RACERS AT CAPALABA
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The Greyhound Adoption Program took the opportunity to introduce their new
Co-Ordinator to the local racing fraternity. Ex-racers were here in full force to demonstrate their transition to homes as family pets, and what a great job they did.
With the likes of You Idiot (Sam), Cowboy Woody (Woody), Dungiven (Dunny) and Somerset Wally (Sailor), with their proud owners, they made quite an impact on all.
We thank all who were involved in this demonstation, for making our Christmas breakup day a great one.
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A GREAT XMAS FAMILY DAY
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JUNE 2004 CLUB NEWS
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Spirited betting was the order of the day for the finals of the John Klose Retravision monthly 5th grade series. In the finals for the dogs running seventh and eight in their heats Adios Amour appeared well placed as the winner of eleven races including 5 at Capalaba in a best time of 20.11 seconds. Punters came from ever where to take the seemingly good odds of even money. Adios Amour did touch 4/6 at one stage but got out again to start 4/5 after backing at long odds for Young Sonia. The money stayed in the bag with the original equal favourite Hanson Fella ( Hanson Diamond X Hanson Ebony) drifting to 2/1 before scoring over the two supported runners in a time of 20.43 seconds. It was Hanson Fella first victory at the track after 8 appearances for trainer Jim Gallaway.
Emergency Rob Roy Burns ( Rapid Journey x La Cenerentola) took out the final for the fifth and sixth in a pretty rough house affair that saw a couple of runners all but fall in a time of 20.31 seconds. Blaze Attack (Awesome McLaren x Karenmar) ran up to his narrow defeat in the time trial in the final for thirds and fourths. Starting from an unsuitable 2 box he was best to begin and move to his preferred side of the track before registering an impressive win for the Attard brothers in 20.30 seconds. Warriors Walk (Hero's Walk x Bonnie the Jet) ran a strong second and could be one to follow in the coming weeks.
The final was taken out by promising young dog Volcanic Fool (Awesome McLaren x Vesuvius) in the time of 20.14 seconds at 6/4. The winner is trained by Capalaba regular Gary McAllum and owned by Helen Lamberton. Readers should follow this chaser when he returns to the circle as he is a young dog going places. He may be eligible for the Capalaba Young Guns and could be a force to be reckoned with in that series. Blue Raynor (Awesome McLaren x Kety Cape) proved his 40/1 win in the heat was no fluke with a good second in the final. Time trial winner and favourite Rylee's Rocket was in trouble early and finished out of the placings.
Smokin Rex (Leg's Ahoy x Wiljarem) found his best form in taking out the last event a 3rd/4th grade in the time of 20.11. This made it a double for veteran trainer and long time Capalaba supporter Jim Gallaway. Another impressive winner on the day was Almonte
( Bobniak x Hundred and Two) for Sarah Pringle. The 34kilo blue fawn dog raced a bit greenly early but motored home when he found his feet to record the fastest time of the day 20.09 seconds. He is another that should be greeting the judge on a regular basis once he matures. Pat Ryan made the trip to Capalaba after some months absence to record an impressive win in the maiden with first starter Street Assassin ( Awesome Assassin x Elle Mac Honcho) in the very good time of 20.11seconds. Reports are that Pat has had problems with this September 2002 whelping and he may also be heading towards the Capalaba Young Guns.
The Ray Burman trained Evasive Ace (Bobniak x Trojan Osti) made it 2 wins and 2 seonds from 4 appearances at Capalaba. He started the surprisingly good odds of 3/1 which was snapped up by owner Mary Burman. Other winners on the day were Mystic Lover (Awesome McLaren x Scream) for Keery Myers in the good time of 20.15 seconds and Alchris Lass (Yo Yo's Boy x Newfound Lee) for Bev Leary in 20.34 seconds.
The A team sires were to the fore again at Capalaba with winners of 5 of the 10 events decided. Bobniak recording a double whilst the underated Awesome McLaren recorded a treble of winners as well as a quinella in the main John Klose Retravision final. With so many good young dogs around at the moment the Capalaba Young Guns shapes as a closely contested event.
The contest for the trainers premiership hots up in the final two weeks. Owen Edmonds leads by 9 points over Helen Lamberton before Saturday's meeting. Owen failed to register any placings at Saturday's meeting while Helen finished with a second. Word is that Helen has some hot contenders for the Young Gun series and the trainer's premiership looks like going down to the wire.
For more information on coming events and results at Capalaba logon to our website at www.capalabagreyhounds.com.au
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MARCH 2004 CLUB NEWS
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We welcome a few guests to Capalaba today.
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Former owner/trainer/club member/committee man/ assistant secretary and club personality William Hutchinson has organized a day out at Capalaba for the Banyo Bowler's Punter's Club.
The success of our Melbourne Cup meeting can be directly attributed to Bill's imagination and vision combined with Bernie's organization and skills. Bill was unable to make the Melbourne Cup meeting this year. Since he has retired from an “active working life” Bill has become a househusband and on the day in question he had to pick up his two children (Sean and Avalon) from school.
Considering his love of a drink and a punt ( which can be disastrous when combined) Bill wisely decided to do the right thing and stay at home. I can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour, spread by some members, that Bill had fallen behind with the ironing and spent Melbourne Cup day catching up.
If you are wondering about some of the unusually named races today they have been named by Billy Hutchison on behalf of the Banyo Bowler's Punter's Club. One of the more unusually named races is the “Noel Stimson Punter's Guide to Weight Loss”.
Billy's explanation is that Noel is the only person he knows that has put on more weight than him in the last 12 months. Noel is a former licensed dog trainer and Capalaba regular and we welcome him back to Capalaba today.
Another band of guest are celebrating the sixth birthday of local identity and dog trainer Donny Alsop. We welcome Don and his guests.
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FUTURE PROGRAMS
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We have a number of exceptional races programmed for the coming months with very good prizemoney. Some of these include:
 John Klose Retravision 5th Grade series continue as usual.Heats of the Healesville Australian Straight Track Championship - please note we have just been informed that the prizemoney for the final has been increased to $2,400 to the winner $750 second and $300 third. The week following this race the Healesville Cup will be run with $4,200 to the winner. Anyone interested in these races please refer to the notice board for more information. The Beenleigh Battler's Maiden $1,000 to final winnerThe Beenleigh Battler's 5th Grade series $1,000 to final winner - there will be 4 of these 5th grade series run over four months with a $1,000 to the winner of each final. Excellent prize money for greyhounds that have lost a little form.John Klose Retravision Capalaba Derby $1,500 to the winner plus a DVD/video worth $400The Cyrus The Virus Capalaba Futurity $1,500 to the winner plus a service to Cyrus the Virus $880Shiny Happy Puppies Veteran's Stake $300 to the winnerThe Dog Lover's 5th Grade Heats and Final with $5,000 to the final winner.We have also sought permission from the GRA to conduct a fifth grade best 8 under time conditions. If approved this race will see the eight contestants trialing up the straight against the clock. Each trial will be conducted between races with the dog recording the fastest time being declared the winner.
Whilst the wind maybe a factor a draw will decide the order in which dogs trial. This
may be the race for your dog if he continues to trial well but draws badly in races, is not a good beginner or is one of those that continues to find trouble.
If this concept is approved by the GRA and supported by trainers we will look at
conducting these every 4 to 6 weeks for each grade.
Refer to our website or the Journal for more particulars and the conditions of these races.
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REG CRAWFORD
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Today we are celebrating the final of Reg Crawford 3rd/4th grade. Reg has been a stalwart of Queensland greyhound racing for over 24 years. He is a former secretary manager of Capalaba and the Committee have named this race in his honour to thank Reg for his contribution to our Club and this industry.
Reg was born in a little place called Taroom, which is located about 300 kilometres west of Maryborough. He spent some years growing up in Maryborough when his parents were licenses at the White Lion Hotel and Federal Hotels. After finishing school Reg joined the National Bank and spent the early part of his working life in what we would term as the bush. Reg recalled some of the places he worked in included Bundaberg, Cracow, Ravenshoe Rockhampton and Innisfail. It was in Innisfail that Reg was to meet and marry his wife Mary.
Following a stint in Rockhampton Reg was transferred to Kingsford in Sydney where he set up a new branch of the National Bank and was manager there for approximately 5 years. Eventually, Reg left the National Bank and returned to Queensland where he and Mary took over the Wynnum North Newsagency in approximately 1978. Little did they know how that was to change their lives.
It was whilst in the newsagency that they got to know a customer by the name of Ian Smith. Ian and his mother where involved in greyhounds and would tip to Reg and Mary. Their interest in greyhounds increased after a few $20 wagers returned some handsome profits and eventually they purchased a greyhound by Milo's Charm that was trained for them by Doug Mann. Unfortunately, it was no good. Their interest remained and through a trainer called Diamond Louise who had a contact in Melbourne Reg and Mary continued to race greyhounds. Judd Baker was another of their trainers during this time.
Reg recalled that his launch into the training ranks occurred when their trainer retired and Reg and Mary ended up with about 6 greyhounds under the house at Wynnum North. Eventually, they sold the newsagents and moved business interests into a takeaway shop before Reg took up an offer of secretary manger at Capalaba in the early 80's. He followed previous secretary manger Ray Crawford who was no relation. Ray Crawford was secretary when the track was moved to its present location.
The Club at Capalaba was in debt at the time and Reg set about rectifying its financial position. Current Club Patron and Federal Member for Bowman Con Sciacca was one of the trustees during this time. The Club was turned around financially and some of the Committee members that Reg can remember were Molly Campbell, Darby Richards and Dave Palmer. At that time there were no offices at Capalaba just a shed and Reg said that break-ins were very common. In fact on one occasions there were a group of people sitting on the creek bank drinking stubbies and listening to the radio. You can imagine his shock when he recognised the radio as his own that had been recently stolen from the Club premises.
It was through their friendship with Gary Cottrill that Reg and Mary's life in greyhounds was to a turn for the best. Cotterrill had a bitch called Fearless Payout and Reg took her to be mated to the Bill Northfield sire Pretty Short. Apparently everyone who turned up to buy a pup wanted a black dog or bitch because that was the colour of Tangaloa. This left a brindle dog that nobody wanted and Reg and Mary purchased him for $250.
That dog raced as Pretty Fearless and not only changed Reg and Mary's lives forever but also became a major force in greyhound racing in this country. He was to hold the record as the highest stakes winner in Australian greyhound racing at that time when he recorded a prize money tally of $103,000. Reg believes his most memorable win was the Coca Cola Cup at the Gabba in November of 1986. Perhaps this was because Pretty Fearless in winning had paid off the mortgage.
He later went to Western Australia and beat the best dogs racing at the time. When retired Pretty Fearless stood at stud and his influence can be seen in today's bloodlines. Another of Reg's good dogs was a daughter of Pretty Fearless, Fearless Midge she won plenty of races and has the distinction of winning the first staying race ever ran at Albion Park. In later years Reg was to get another good dog in the form of Nujooloo a grandson of Pretty Fearless. He won plenty of races and was almost unbeatable at Albion Park where he won over all distances.
Pretty Fearless helped establish Reg and Mary in racing folklore. At the peak of their involvement as trainers Reg and Mary were located at Burnside Road from 1982 to 1995 in the heart of greyhound country. During that time they had 14 dogs in work and over 80 pups and broodbitches on the property. Reg is ever quick to give Mary a lot of the credit for their success. During this time Reg had a lot of handy dogs with most carrying the Fearless name.
In recent years Reg and Mary have scaled down after moving to Nujooloo Road. In June last year Reg had a serious accident that left him in intensive care for nearly 2 months and in hospital for 4 to 5 months. For a time it was touch and go as to whether Reg would fully recover but he has come along in leaps and bounds lately and no longer needs to continue occupational therapy.
The interest in greyhound racing still remains and Reg has 3 dogs at home. Nujooloo, who has served approximately 30 bitches since he retired, Waltzing Time and a pup by Fortified Speed that Reg thinks, may be all right. Reg and Mary's daughter Susanne never really showed the same interest in greyhounds as her parents. Grandson Christopher is showing some interest especially in the racing aspect but is not too keen on the early mornings.
It is good to see Reg back at the track and enjoying greyhound racing again.
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JANUARY 2004 CLUB NEWS
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10th January 2004
Track Work Complete
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You will be all aware that a lot of work has been done on the track over Xmas period. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not grace us with her blessing of the wet weather we needed to ensure the entire racing surface was back to normal for today.
Despite several forecasts of rain and thunderstorms none eventuated and all watering has had to be done manually. However, the green keeper who advises us has assured us the track will flourish as soon as some soaking rain is received.
In the meantime if you want to have a whinge I wouldn't do so to any of the team who have been working under appalling conditions in the searing heat to get the track back up to racing standard. If you do you may receive a short but blunt reply (and deservedly so).
You will notice that fencing has been erected during the recess. A working bee was called and of course the usual suspects attended and did a magnificent job in some very ordinary working conditions. We thank these people for their time and dedication to our track.
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Incentive Competition
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The Club will be running an incentive competition similar to the ones run in past years. This one will commence next week on 17th January and run through to the last meeting in February on Saturday 28th.
Points will be allocated as follows First 5 points, second 3 points, third 2 points and 4th to 8th one point.
First prize is a DVD player and there will be $50 betting vouchers for second and third. In the event of a tie for first position the dog with the most wins will be the victor. As a last resort a draw will be conducted to decide the winner.
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Good Races Coming Up
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There are some good races coming up at Capalaba in the next few months. January / February will see the Young Guns with $2,500 to the winner of the final which will be a Sunday meeting with free rides etc.
In March we will be conducting a race in honor of Reg Crawford. This will be a 3rd & 4th Grade heats and final with $1,000 to the winner of the final.
Second and third prize money will be $300 and $200. In April there will be another Sunday meeting on 25th April and this is being sponsored by the Dog Lovers.
This is a group of trainers who have got together and provided sponsorship with very good prize money on offer.
Remember the greyhound show is back from today on BAY FM 100.3 starting at approximately 10.30am and continuing every Saturday through the year.
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GRA PRESS RELEASE
Re - Capalaba Meeting Abandoned 31.01.04
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 Greyhound Racing AuthorityPO Box 250, Albion, Qld 4010
Tel (07) 3262 7800
Fax (07) 3262 7809
PRESS RELEASE
CAPALABA YOUNG GUN SERIES RE-SCHEDUELED FOR FEBRUARY 21st 2004
The Race Meeting of the Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club set down for Saturday the 31st of January was abandoned when the power supply to the Capalaba Track was cut by ferocious storm activity in the area.
The Race Meeting included the heats of the Capalaba Young Gun Series
The Capalaba Club has re-scheduled the Heats of the Young Guns Series for Saturday the 21st of February 2004
The Board of the Greyhound Racing Authority averted a possible clash with the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club series when selecting the date of the new meeting.
Fresh nominations, closing at 8.30am on Wednesday the 18th of February 2004 have been called for the entire Capalaba programme.
Due to the extenuating circumstances that caused the cancellation of the Race Meeting, the Club and the GRA determined that the same date of eligilibility, namely that greyhounds must be whelped on or after the 31- 7-2001 be retained.
Danny Ryan
ACTING GENERAL MANAGER.
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