Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Pearcedale greyhound breeder-owner-trainer Keith Hellmuth snuck unobtrusively into Mount Gambier on Monday morning ostensibly to check out a litter of Peter Rocket x Headline pups, recently whelped at Tracie and Karen Price’s Compton kennels.
Peter Rocket is the dog Hellmuth and his wife Lisa picked out as a pup back at the end of 2010 – the son of Where’s Pedro x Belron Blue one of a litter of seven whelped at a neighbouring property.
And after 67 starts for 22 wins, 29 minor placings and more than $328,000 in prizemoney it’s probably fair to say that the rest is now history.
The Hellmuths bred, owned and trained 16-race winner Headline, a daughter of Barcia Bale x Raya Riot, and with a pedigree that traces back to the legendary Hall Of Fame brood bitch Sydney Gem.
Also accompanying Hellmuth on Monday was a big white and black dog called Rockoon, a son of Peter Rocket and Raya Riot, and winner of last November’s Group 1 Hume Cup (600 metres) at The Meadows as well as nine other races and more than $124,000 in prizemoney.
Rockoon’s last win was in November at Sandown Park in a heat of the Bold Trease (715 m), prior to finishing unplaced in the final behind Fanta Bale and then going for a lengthy spell.
Tracie Price, fresh from another bag of five winners – Whatta Knocka, Banjo Queen, Well Done Woody, Sophie’s Moment and Summer Sprite – at Tara Raceway last Sunday, naturally enough is delighted that the Group 1 winner has joined the kennels.
“His three runs since returning from a spell have all been unplaced but according to Keith he’s still been trialling as well as ever,” Price said.
“I’ll probably give him a look at Tara Raceway on Saturday morning prior to giving some thought as to where he’ll have his first race start. The local track is certainly not out of the question as it could be an ideal opportunity for a confidence-boosting run.”
Hellmuth also confirmed on Monday that, following the Summer Classic, he would donate another Peter Rocket service to the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club, this one being attached to the August running of the Winter Classic.
Price has now trained five winners on three occasions this year, previously with Dimora Flash, Shine On Shannah, Swift Moment, Swift Limes and Hopalong on February 4 and Teddy La Moment, Penny La Moment, Bekim Lucy’s, Gangster Of Love and Hopalong on March 25.