ONE of Tasmania’s most promising greyhounds Damek has recovered from a mishap that had the potential to end his racing career prematurely.
Damek burst onto the scene with some devastating performances on the Hobart track that included the Hobart Maiden Thousand final to retain his unbeaten record from only three starts.
But when trialling for the first time at the Launceston track last month he crashed into the lure sending his owners and trainer into a spin.
They immediately dispatched the dog to Melbourne where he was taken to the Sandown Veterinary Clinic for diagnosis.
Damek was cleared of any bone or ligament damage, suffering only from bruising and slight abrasions.
While in Victoria the dog was in the care of top Victorian trainer Darren McDonald.
McDonald was in Tasmania campaigning his Devonport and Launceston Cup winner Gardam Prince when Damek hit the lure in Launceston.
When it was revealed the dog had suffered no serious injuries, McDonald was asked to trial the dog in Victoria and those trials at Sandown and The Meadows made such an impact that the owners spent days fending off offers to buy Damek.
The dog’s part-owner June Phillips said the past few weeks have been chaotic but she is relieved the dog did no harm from the lure incident.
“We are all very relieved that Damek suffered no major injury from hitting the lure and now we are just looking forward to him contesting the Breeders Classic in Launceston,” Phillips said.
“While he was in Melbourne he was trialled at both city tracks and he performed well but it didn’t take long for the calls to start wanting to buy him.”
“We made it clear the dog is not for sale and besides he has only won three races and that’s nowhere near enough to warrant such a fuss.”
“We are all hoping he is as good as some believe he is because every code needs their stars and we’d love him to be in that category but for the time being we are keeping a reasonably firm lid on things,” she said.
Damek is prepared at Invermay by experienced trainer Eileen Thomas who has already stated the dog is probably the best she’d had in her kennels.
He was back at the Launceston track last Friday night to tackle a qualifying heat of the Launceston club’s Breeder’s Classic series and again Damek stole the show.
He was in the last of 16 trials but the wait took no effect as he powered his way around the circuit in a sizzling 29.73 and scored by 23 lengths from Buckle Up Matt.
It was clearly the fastest of the 16 heat winners and provided he avoids trouble he should breeze through to the final.
The semi-finals will be run next Monday night.
Damek is by boom sire Big Daddy Cool from Phillips’ former smart bitch World’s Finest.
It is World’s Finest’s fourth litter and testament to her stature as a broodbitch.
World’s Finest’s first litter to Carlyle Jack produced one pup to race that was Lief and she broke 30 seconds in Launceston.
Her second and third litters were by Bombastic Shiraz with the second crop producing eight individual winners from nine to race while the third litter only produced three pups but all won.
One of those from the third litter, Balas, is still racing but will retired to stud when next in season and she will go to Chinatown Lad.
Best Breeder’s Classic qualifying trials:
Decembrist won by 11 from Regent Shiraz & Ella Lucy 30.21 5.02 17.97
Maycee Anne beat Eiffella Jack by 9 ¾ in 30.21 5.16 NSS
Luke’s A Missile – Solo trial – Opponent scr – in 29.78 5.18 17.73
Regent Typhoon won by 13 over Variety Bay in 30.09 5.17 17.87
Daegan won by 7 ¾ over Kate Johannah in 30.13 5.07 17.75
Posh Emma won by 7 ¾ over Bold Vista in 30.02 5.06 17.74
Damek won by 23 lengths over Buckle Up Matt in 29.73 5.01 17.54.