It was only a couple of weeks ago that Millie Bay won her second race at Tara Raceway for Portland owner-trainer Andy Graham.
By Sulzanti, the fawn bitch is out of Graham’s former smart chaser Cee Anna Rose’s fourth and final litter. In fact, he rates her as his best dog in a 20-year involvement in greyhound racing.
“Cee Anna Rose raced on only 18 occasions but won six races, including two at The Meadows and ran nine minor placings on Victorian tracks,” he said.
“She’s a daughter of Senni Wendy who I purchased for breeding after she had raced on 94 occasions for 17 wins and $36,000 in stakemoney.”
Millie Bay went around again last Thursday, finding the going pretty tough when running into Mrs. Watson. However, earlier in the day she did produce her first winner when Graham’s Bay Side won on debut in the Greg Martlew Autos Maiden Stake (400 m).
Actually, two other members of the litter – Sea Storm Bay and See Anna Bay – were also having their first starts in the same race. But it was Bay Side who led all the way when defeating Cloned by 2½ lengths in a handy 23.46 seconds.
“I had trialled him once over 400 metres and he went around in 23.77 seconds so I figured he was probably worth nominating. Most certainly, I was more than happy with his effort today,” Graham said.
By Bad Boy Tex, Millie Bay’s litter was whelped in March 2020. However, at the time neither the sire nor dam had even been named. Graham takes up the story.
“I’d purchased Bad Boy Tex as a pup and was rearing him in a run together with Millie Bay. To cut a long story short, she came in season, unbeknown to me they mated and I ended up with four pups.
“I have to say, Greyhound Racing Victoria was very good in regard to the naming of the sire and dam and in relation to DNA testing and relevant paper work.
“Now I don’t reckon it will be too long before mother and son clash in a race at Tara Raceway.”
Incidentally, according to Graham, Bad Boy Tex never showed any inclination to be a racing dog and was placed in the GAP program.