In Brief
- Whitford back into greyhounds after footy career.
- Buck Street chasing back-to-back wins.
- Trainer close to notching up 12-months in the greyhound game.
Brighton trainer Adam Whitford has only been training greyhounds for just under a year, and the trainer will take three of his four greyhounds in work to Launceston on Monday night.
Since January, Whitford has had five winners from 49 starters with a further 12 placings to his credit.
Last start Hobart winner Buck Street, lines up in race three, the Ladbrokes Racing Centre Grade Six over the 278-metre dash.
The Buck Fever – Villanious dog was too good late for Gee Whiz Archie in Hobart on Thursday when scoring by 1.25 lengths in 19.36s for the 340-metre event.
That run followed a fourth placing in Launceston the start prior when defeated two lengths by Bridwood Jo over the 278 metres where he ran 16.54s.
“He didn’t really handle the track in Launceston last Monday, and a few people had written him off going into Thursday in Hobart, he just showed his class in that race, and I was pleased with his run home,” said Whitford.
The trainer put the Launceston run down to the chaser doing a few things wrong on the final corner before being bumped and pushed off the track by another runner.
“Hopefully he will jump well, and if he can get on to the rail he will rail hard, he did trial well there prior, but there were no other dogs in his trial, so he could rail hard,” Whitford explained about the chaser that he described as still being “immature”.
The Whitford kennel is represented in race six, the A Total Car Rentals Grade 4 by Belt Up Libba who will start from the red box in the event over 515 metres.
“She screams out for more distance, but Launceston is definitely her track,” said the trainer of the Sh Avatar – Belt Up Tubsy bitch.
“We finally get a box with her, I’m hoping that when she is going through the pen, she isn’t last like she always is and hopefully she is on the rail sitting third or fourth,” said the trainer.
It is her first time in eight Launceston starts that Belt Up Libba has drawn inside box four.
From box seven last time out on 17 August, she settled well back before running home well late when defeated six-lengths by Anndar Winx.
“Her run home is always impressive,” added her trainer.
Majorie is the last representative from the Whitford kennel who goes around in race nine, the Curtains and Blinds Maiden event over the 278-metre trip.
The Fernando Bale – Little Milly bitch has been placed in two of her eight starts to date.
“She just isn’t jumping well at the moment,” Whitford said.
Majorie hasn’t been seen since 17 August when defeated 6.25 lengths behind Ailani over the 278 metres in Launceston.
“I have given her a light fortnight and freshened her up, and this is her last chance over the 278 metres, and then I will build her up in distance,” explained her trainer.
As mentioned, Whitford has been training just under a year after deciding to get back involved in the greyhound industry.
After growing up around them with his father 20-years ago, Whitford decided to concentrate on his football where he played for New Norfolk winning a premiership before playing a few seasons with Brighton.
Watch Buck Street win in Hobart on Thursday night over the 340 metre trip.