Welcome to Caloona Greyhounds

Last Updated: Thursday, 14 August, 2008 8:58 PM

LATEST NEWS --- LATEST NEWS --- LATEST NEWS

CALOONA GREYHOUNDS

One runner this weekend

CALOONA ICE from trap 1 ! on Saturday evening - another watching brief ?

CALOONA GREYHOUNDS

2 runners on Saturday evening

CALOONA ICE, NEEDS TO LEAD TRAP 2 TO THE BEND, NOT WITHOUT A SHOUT.

CALOONA SKYE ALTHOUGH SHE HAS THE MAGIC BOX OF TRAP 6, JURY IS STILL OUT ON THIS ONE.

NEWS UPDATE 14.8.8

A winner on the board last week for the 999’ers when CALOONA ICE finally obliged over 6 bends. Easy to back, but it was a bad race, he came from last to first to land the spoils off the last bend in a slow time. Now it will be a demonstration how greyhound racing works because this Friday he is in another 6 bend race with the same greyhounds he beat last week. In theory, same dogs equal same result! No chance or can lightening strike twice. CALOONA CRUZ and CALOONA BELLE both run tonight at hove. Trophy races and both tipped up in the Racing Post. At time of writing I don’t know the results but I am aware that the Chuckle Brothers were keen to go to the track for the winners’ photo with one of them having had his hair cut in anticipation and the other a polish! CALOONA MIST and her pups are well. First jab this week and then we will let them out in the field, basically to keep the noise down. CALOONA LANDING has a two bend handslip at Poole on Monday morning in anticipation of his comeback and all looks good. CALOONA MINSTREL is well and bouncing about like a nutter at home. He will not race again and come the winter, will retire to the trainers settee, a quiet sensible mate indoors for PONGO! Not. You must be mad trainer – well, I suppose that goes without saying.

NEWS UPDATE 4.08.8 ....... All well at this end, the pups continue to thrive and Saturday evening saw us take their Mum away and they are now on there own. Providing they have a bowl of grub and something to play with, they seem most content. We will keep them in for a few more weeks yet before letting them loose in the paddock. Don't forget old man - we need to get that grass cut first else we'll not see or find them again! CALOONA MIST looks in fantastic shape and the pups have not dragged her down at all. Dried up of milk she was more than happy to return to her old kennel, next to CALOONA MINSTREL, with a new marrow bone. Right, racing this week. Two last place finishers - most out of character for CALOONA CRUZ - who can be forgiven for putting in one poor run (see last week's update!)-but possibly expected - first time out for CALOONA BELLE. (She's out again on Tuesday evening, same grade but in her favored red jacket of trap 1 - its' on BAGS for all you keen followers. Run of the week, or most unluckiest run because we caught a tartar - was from CALOONA ICE last night at Poole. Back to his preferred trip of 4 bends saw him record his fastest time of his career , 27.40 (+20). Unfortunate4ly though, he found one too fast that was quick away, beat him home by 1 3/4 lengths in 27.25 for an A9 - bottom grade at Poole! what! The shackles were taken off CALOONA LANDING this morning and he truly shot round the paddock - on his own! he loved it but was soon blowing hard. A couple of weeks and we will have him back at Poole for a few hand slips.

NEWS UPDATE 25.7.8 APOLOGIES FOR RECENT LACK OF UPDATE! It's been all systems go at this end with an additional 6 mouths to feed and it's all going very well. CALOONA MIST has turned out to be a great Mum and with the amount of grub the trainer has pumped into her she has not been dragged down at all. The pups are now 6 weeks old and grubbing up well and flying round the kennel. We will soon start to wean them off their Mum and her first reward for doing such a great job will be a massive marrow bone.

Right, star of the show lately must go to the Hove mobsters and their dog CALOONA CRUZ. Latest form figures read 1111221 and that's pretty hot for Hove. Well done Mr Wrighting, although I expect he's been listening daily to 'Trotts Training Tips'. Keep it going gents, how far can he go? CALOONA BELLE is now also at the grade one southern venue and doing her grading trials nicely. Nice and slow being the present situation, A8 beckons? A6 by my reckoning, d'you think the Hove racing Manager fell off the back of a banana boat? Don't forget she's been off along time boys before you go up there with your pockets bulging! It's when you come home you need them bulging too!.

CALOONA MINSTREL is now firmly on the mend but the trainers has called it a day and retired him. He will take up his position on the trainer's settee at the end of the summer. CALOONA ICE continues to frustrate. He needs his trapping boots on over that 640m trip. In his trial he clocked a sharp 15.43 for the first two bends but in his last two races 15.70 and 15.84 have hardly helped his chances.

CALOONA LANDING will be let off the lead, literally, at the end of this month. In total his latest break from racing will have been 8 weeks so we hope to find him sound. A few straight runs on the sand will assist when the time is ready and the tide is out! His owner, Emma Lavelle, has been down to see him and to apologise face to face for omitting him from her Racing Post interview (You know what I mean Lavelle!). Anyway, the dog (pet name Guiness) wiped a tear from his eye, has combed his hair and will be ready to do the job in hand. She has promised she will get as many wins from our nags as we will from her dog. Needless to say, the score is 5 : 1 in favour of the dog .......

NEWS UPDATE 27.6.8 Pups doing well.. Just under two weeks old, the pups are doing very well and despite the fact that their mum, CALOONA MIST, was a 'scatty' bitch she cares for them very well and is very good with them - long may it continue - The vet has been round and checked Mum and pups out and given them the all clear. Roll on the next 15 months says the trainer! He's started dreaming already. Get some new tyres on that wagon trainer - Open racing here we come! Pleased to report that CALOONA BELLE came out of her handslip well last Monday but has already departed to Hove - watch out the Trott family, the Nicholls boyz are in town - lock up your daughters! Not so good news for CALOONA SKYE - it is believed she tore a gracilis muscle and will be out for some time. CALOONA ICE ran last Saturday evening (5th in an A8 - nobbled round the first bend) and was 3rd again about an hour ago...again trouble first bend but finished well so he is booked in for a trial before racing over 6 bends - it will be interesting what he does. CALOONA MINSTREL and CALOONA LANDING, both on the easy list, are like a couple of nutters, both winding each other up - both look well and are raring to go. CALOONA MINSTREL is now out on a regular basis with PONGO, pounding the forest walks and along the beach. Both seem to get on well together but I think MINSTREL generally has had enough when PONGO continuously licks him on the way home. To finish this weeks update, mention must go to the Trott family's star of the show CALOONA CRUZ who has rattled up three wins on the trot (no pun intended). Fantastic performance and long may it continue.

NEWS UPDATE 15.6.8 THE EAGLE HAS TRULY LANDED! Up all night last Friday but worthwhile as 6 pups duly arrived in the early hours of Saturday morning. 4 dogs and 2 bitches, Mum and pups all doing very well.Times of arrival were 1.05, 1.55; 2.00; 2.05; 3.00 and 4.00...Unfortunately I sat with her until 5.00 as I thought she had another one to come that in fact turned out to be the afterbirth! Totally knackered but worth the wait . Now we can start dreaming for the next 12 months of our potential Derby winners.

NEWS UPDATE 13.6.8 ICEMAN DUE TO OBLIGE! Tonight sees the return of CALOONA ICE to a grade that he can win, A9, No excuses tonight - it's not in the lap of the Gods but simply up to the ICEMAN to exit in his best set of trapping boots! Keep an eye on this page next week for excuses if it all goes wrong!. CALOONA MINSTREL is getting better, flying from his kennel in the mornings before going into his hop and skip routine. is he simply taking the mick out of his trainer I ask? who hops and skips around at the best of times! CALOONA MIST, due to whelp down on Wednesday (63rd day) kept us waiting until CALOONA CRUZ duly obliged Wednesday afternoon at Hove on BAGS card. Nice one Mr T. NEWS UPDATE 8.6.2008......TRAINER AWAITS THE STORK! ......blimey, I wish he would stop pacing up and down outside her kennel, we have another couple of days to go yet. CALOONA MIST is defintely in pup and due to whelp down on Tuesday. She's moved into the whelping kennel, new bed, new carpet, freshley painted walls - these pups better be somnthing special! they should be. Only one runner at the moment for us, CALOONA ICE. Smartly away last Frisday evening but he had his legs taken away from him round the first bend. Bad news really because he went from first to fifth to run on strong to second at the line, going ten clear to the pick up. Show a bit of patience lads, drop in A9 and he'll have his day before we try him over the extended trip of 6 bends. CALOONA MINSTREL has his bandages off and is now putting his foot to the floor. As mad as ever i think come the end of the summer he will be moving indoors on the old man's settee. CALOONA LANDING is on the easy list folliwng a wrist sprain last week. It's abugger this game as the faster they go the more injuries they pick up. CALOONA CRUZ came third again this week at Hove, a trophy race and he appears also to need a down grade or an extyended trip to oblige.

NEWS UPDATE 29.5.8 MIST is in pup....CALOONA MIST is in pup. The trainer came skipping back from the vets last week following a scan - mind you if we had waited another week a scan would have not been necessary as she has ballooned over the past few days - all very exciting stuff. Hence, we are now busy at home washing down, painting and preparing whelping stable. Pups are due 11 June? but I'm sure the trainer will have a few sleepless nights before that day dawns. CALOONA MINSTREL is making a slow recovery with his broken toes, bandages all off this week and now lead walking but he's fine in himself and has put a few pounds on. CALOONA ICE failed to shine last week and would be suited by a nice slow A9 to get his head back in front with a clear run. We think CALOONA LANDING is a bit wristy following his poor showing last Saturday and he will now have yet another break to get him back to shape. He's not getting any younger so Barry and Emma get that Springer Spaniel off your settee! early days yet but we'll see how he progresses over next few weeks. Mr Trott txt me late one evening this week to inform me that CALOONA CRUZ ran Wednesday (BAGS) at Hove in the 3.48. Grade A8, trap 1 - slow away, trouble first bend, finished 4th.Hopefully downgraded next run?

NEWS UPDATE 16.5.8 Two non runners - one also ran CALOONA ICE produced no surprises last Saturday evening at the home of champions! Well away, he lacks that much needed early toe and ended up with a first bend thump for his travels - race over. really needs a drop in class (A9) will do to see him in with a shout. Surprise of the evening, by their lack of absence, was the Nicholls connected CALOONA BELLE and CALOONA SKYE. Both on the sick list and off for the next few weeks. So it looks like it's up to the mighty Attwater kennels to provide the entertainment for the near future! Fortunately, Emma Lavelle's CALOONA LANDING trialled back last Monday covering two bends at Poole in a respectable 15.65, bearing mind he was up 2 kilos in weight! Needless to say he will have another 250 solo next week then go back on the card. CALOONA MIST is very well in herself - upsetting everything else at home - and we will be having her scanned the week after next to see if she is in pup. The trainer is pleased to say he thinks she's in - I hope so too trainer, we need some potential champions back at Ivydene. CALOONA CRUZ -is now back on the card at Hove. He ran this week but failed to get in the frame. Presumably, need a bit of time to regain form.

NEWS UPDATE 9.5.8 No winners, 2 near misses That's no good to anybody trainer unless you've started to lay your dogs to lose without telling anybody else! Fortunately Poole greyhounds does not yet appear on Betfair? We really thought that CALOONA ICE was going to oblige and indeed would have doubled our stake money in running as he led. "Short of a run" was the trainers explanation but I don't think he'll be given the same opportunity next week! He simply couldn't go fast enough. Similar thoughts apply to CALOONA BELLE. The result read 'Led 1 to 3'. Again, couldn't go fast enough, she recorded her usual time of about 27.30 (+10). Good odds though, she returned at 5/1. Last but not least was CALOONA SKYE. Crowded start and good night nurse it was all over. Jury thinks she needs trap six with slow starters on her inside. Personally I'm not sure but time will tell. CALOONA MINSTREL is down the vets every few days to have his bandage/splints changed. He's well in himself and the trainer is giving him fresh bones daily to prevent him from chewing his bandages. Just a point of note, I also saw roast potatoes and chicken in his bowl this week, damn dog eats better then me! CALOONA LANDING is buzzing around at home and would have trialled on Monday but there were no trials as it was bank holiday so he will trial next Monday over two bends and all being well will then be back on the card. CALOONA MIST is showing all the signs of being in pup but we will have her scanned in the next fortnight to find out for definite. Good news this week from Andy Trott and his CALOONA CRUZ. been off the track for 77 days and comes back to Hove in a trial before recording a sharp 30.58.!

NEWS UPDATE 18.4.8 "Maybe I'm beginning to get the hang of this game son" uttered the old trainer on Sunday morning after filling his boots the previous evening. "Well it's taken you 20 years so it's about time" I replied! Still reliving the moment he again talked me through CALOONA MINSTREL's amazing run. The day had started on a sour note as the heavily fancied CALOONA LANDING was lame in the morning so withdrawn. The trainer was pretty upset because he thought LANDING had a tremendous chance to win his A2. Little did he know that there was also a war of words within the horse racing world as Emma told me that the dog in trap 2 of LANDING's race was owned by Raeph Beckett (racehorse trainer at Whistbury). The trainer had thought MINSTREL would get out and push the 4,5 and 6 dogs wide at the first leaving him with two dogs to pick up on the way home. Not the case, a 4.59 sectional shows that he flopped out the traps and was last going into the first bend. Gathering momentum he enjoyed an unimpeded run to win going away by 3/4 length in the fastest time of the night, 27.12 on normal going. The trainer had availed himself of the 100/30 odds and came home smiling. On the same card, CALOONA BELLE also won. 27.32. Hugging the rails she took up the running from the second bend and came home a comfortable winner. Friday evening had seen CALOONA SKYE run disappointingly in last place and it looks as though she will need a bit more time to find her old ways. CALOONA ICE covered two bends on Monday morning in 15.83 and will be back down there next Monday for a 3 dog 450m trial before going back on the card. The trainer tells me that this dog is very well at home and we are expecting a big run first time out, Racing manger permitting! You'll have to get him out the tins abit quicker than that trainer! Good news from the Emerald Isle. CALOONA MIST was covered last week by Droopys Kewell and all being well pups will be due on 10/11 June. She came home this week and is as mad as usual but the trainer is already making a fuss of her and dreaming of winners to come!.

NEWS UPDATE 11.4.8 A touch of seconditis!.....CALOONA LANDING and CALOONA MINSTREL both finished second in their respective races. The former absolutely pinged the lids leaving his litter sister, CALOONA BELLE to track him tight on the rails. Both the 5 and 6 dog had got away but he ran on strong to finish beaten 3/4 length in second place. The dog is well and putting it all in accordingly. BELLE finished in fourth place and I think we can expect more over the next few weeks. CALOONA MINSTREL lost his race at the traps. Slow away, he gave them all a start but powered up the back straight to finish second. CALOONA SKYE ran on Friday evening and endured a thump at the first bend effectively ending her chances. However, a profitable evening thanks to Commander Cave winning the 8.50 at Kempton. Sorry Jem Racing but you were the only bookie in the vicinity! CALOONA MIST has arrived safely in the green isle and is waiting to meet her suitor Mr Droopy's Kewell. CALOONA ICE trials in again on Monday over two bends following hit bout of the cough.

NEWS UPDATE 4.4.8 That old trainer isn't as simple as he looks!. In fact he's turning out to be a right shrewd old dog. Best example of this is CALOONA LANDING. Each time we are due to go up and see the horses at Emma's yard, the damn dog duly wins. Nice one trainer. Now I'm not complaining but I just wish he'd let me in on his secrets because I keep telling her the dog can't win! Another winner last Friday was CALOONA BELLE who forced her way to the rails to win most convincingly. Two out of three winners, I think you'd better stay in Ireland Master Nicholls. No doubt CALOONA SKYE who finished behind CALOONA LANDING will strip fitter for the run. CALOONA MINSTREL, back from kennel cough, put in a good sprint trail on Monday morning recording a swift 15.44. He will now be back on the card. Sad news from Ireland is that it looks as though CALOONA ACE is finished on the track. A nasty leg injury has forced his early retirement. However, let's end on a positive not and we are pleased to report that CALOONA MIST has come into season and is now in Ireland to see the highly regarded Irish flying machine that has previously produced good fast litters to Top Honcho / Westmead bitches, Droopy's Kewell. The fees a bit steep but hopefully you get what you pay for.

NEWS UPDATE 29.3.8 CALOONA SKYE makes her long awaited return on Friday evening at Poole in A3. Upon inspection of the card her most likely danger is CALOONA LANDING in his favoured red jacket of trap 1.Although the Attwater kennel has had a touch of 'kennel cough' for the last week, CALOONA LANDING appears in fine fettle and will no doubt cause abit of a rumpus at the first bend if SKYE cannot get clear. With a clear run you would fancy SKYE to make a winning return to the track. CALOONA BELLE is also on the card. In A4, unfortunately in trap 2 with a bundle of early pace on her inside. She will do well to negotiate the first bend trouble free and hence, is not really fancied to oblige. CALOONA's MINSTREL, CRUZ and ICE as advised above are on the sick list. They are all beginning to improve with the trainer supplying spoonfuls of honey with their cereals each morning. CALOONA MIST now seems fine and we are eagerly awaiting her to come into season.

NEWS UPDATE 4 January 2008 LANDING does the bizz....

CALOONA LANDING, after two second places, finally got his head in front with a strong finish last Friday evening. A6, winning time of 27.54 will, we expect, see him progress to an A5 next weekend. Well away, he showed good back straight pace and powered home strong to win by 3/4 length going away to the pick up. Good result and long overdue! Easy available at 11/4 and he duly went off at that price. Sorry Emma, it wasn't a trophy race as we thought. Never mind, your first greyhound trophy will look good against (slightly in front of) one of your Cheltenham trophies!

Surprise of the evening went to CALOONA MERLIN. Unfancied in his A8 contest, he went off at 8/1. Traditionally slowly away he found himself having a solo round the first bend - albeit in last place - but he truly surged home showing excellent track craft to go down by a head at the line to the 11/8 favourite. An encouraging run will see him over 6 bends later on in life.

CALOONA ICE found a speed merchant in his A9 race, the winner coming home in 27.57 - enough said. He ran on well to finish in 3rd place after a clear run, dipping under 28 seconds for the first time in his career.

The trainer reliably informs me that within the next fortnight he will be trialling CALOONA MIST and CALOONA MINSTREL to bring us back up to full racing strength for the new year. Looks like another crack at the trainers championship beckons for 2008! Should be good odds, even from Jem Racing! Can you match 100,000/1 Mr Johnson?

Caloona Skye

Caloona Mist

01/11/07 All quiet, no Open winners this week ...

Back to normal with graded runners and trials. CALOONA SKYE ran in A1 on Friday. Perfectly seeded in trap 6 in a five runner race with the orange box of trap 5 vacant, she had a clear run but disappointed with her time, 27.48 +20!.She's now been booked on the easy list and will be given 4 weeks off.

Saturday evening before racing saw CALOONA MIST complete 450m in a respectable 27.42 (N) and CALOONA MINSTREL post a 39.61 (N), 15.41 sectional, first look over six bends. No problems, he cramped up slightly after the line and was totally knackered at the pick up.

Monday morning, still at Poole, saw CALOONA ICE record 28.70 (-10) in his second three dog trial, 4.75 sectional he finished second.....he can now appear of the card proper and CALOONA MERLIN covered the 450m trip in 28.61 (-10), 4.70 sectional, winning his three dog trial, showing clever track craft, by 2 3/4 lengths .

Other mutts all well at home and next Monday sees CALOONA LANDING have a belt over 250m.

Finally received a response from the Trott Clan (owners of CALOONA STRIKER). In answer to your question Mr T, if CALOONA CRUZ is staying on strong over Hoves' 515m then give him a trial over the trip - see what he does, he's plenty old enough and there's no point keep running over 515m if he's doing all his running after the line! Look at Mr Savva's Westmead runners, they are over the trip at 18 months of age and still running, in top class, when they are 3 year olds plus - enough said.