Greyhounds Australian campaign likely

Press, 6 April 1989, Page 34

Greyhounds Australian campaign likely

PA Wellington The top-class greyhound Banner Line took his record to 16 wins and four placings from 21 starts, when he lead throughout the $5200 New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes (520 m at the Wellington Greyhound Racing Club’s meeting at Hutt Park on Monday. Banner Line began brilliantly from box two to be in front from the outset but did not have things all his own way. The second favourite, Crafty Tiree, chased the hot favourite hard throughout and approaching the home turn had gone up to Banner Line’s shoulder.

Mainland Magic, the third favourite, was also close up after having raced in third place most of the way.

However Banner Line did not flinch and ran clear to win by a length and a quarter. Crafty Tiree'held second with a head back to Mainland Magic in third place.

Banner Line’s trainer, Bob Sinkinson, a textile technician from Mount Eden in Auckland, has been thinking of an Australian campaign for the dog but a firm decision has not yet been made. At one stage he was considering Sydney but has dismissed that idea after a recent trip where he witnessed racing at Wentworth Park.

“I was in Sydney for Easter and I didn’t like Wentworth Park,” said Sinkinson.

“It’s a very unforgiving track. The turns are very heavily banked and any dog that gets into trouble usually comes off second best.

“I saw four dogs fall while I was there.” Sinkinson said Wentworth Park has a sAust2ooo . minimum stake. But he did not want to risk injuring Banner Line.

“As one eminent trainer told me they might pay $2OOO a race but you need it to help pay for a new dog.”

Taking Banner Line to Melbourne with the Ballarat Cup as a possible target is now under consideration.

“It has crossed my mind about going over for a few races and coming back for racing here in May. There is not much on here until then.” He said if a Melbourne trip eventuated he could send Banner Line to the kennels of Kerry Chalker, who trains outside Melbourne. Chalker trained Banner Line’s dam, Raurimu, which recorded 26 wins including a Sandown Cup. Raurimu was at one stage rated the best staying dog in Australia with 12 wins from 15 starts, in distance events on metropolitan tracks.