21 May 2013
Media Release
Kiwi Greyhound Has Tongues Wagging In Australia
Aussie race goers were left with red faces following Kiwi-owned Clone Your Own’s win at a prestigious race meeting in
Melbourne last Thursday. The 30 month old chaser took out the lucrative Harrison Dawson Final at Sandown in a tight
race, pocketing A$100,000 - by far the biggest ever snared by a Kiwi Greyhound.
It is also only the sixth time in history a Kiwi has claimed one of Australia’s prized greyhound racing crowns.
The result now means that three of those Kiwi victories have happened in just the past 15 months. Know Peace took out
last year’s Chairman’s Cup at Wentworth Park (NSW) while Thrilling Brat recorded a slashing 11 and three-quarter length
victory in the 2012 Super Stayers at the Meadows (Victoria).
The emerging pattern of dominance is generating chatter over the ditch. Some even questioning whether Aussie Greyhound
racing will follow cricket and swimming by going to the dogs.
Owned and bred by Alison Lee and Merv O’Brien of Christchurch, the four legged Usain Bolt broke from the gates slowly
before rocketing clear from the pack on the back straight. From there he was able to hold off a fast finishing Imry
Bale, in a sensational time of 29.47 seconds. Australian champion chaser Glen Gallon put in a brave effort for third.
Ms Lee, who was trackside to watch the dog’s record breaking exploits, described the win as a ‘heart stopper’:
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, even though I’ve watched the DVD on countless occasions. I didn’t realise the finish
was as close as it was until afterwards – I was just screaming and all I knew was that he had won it,” she said.
The win highlights a remarkable career for Clone Your Own. In his previous 22 races he claimed nine victories, one of
which was New Zealand’s richest short course sprint, last year’s $30,000 Super Pets Galaxy Sprint.
ENDS