Filthy Phantom, the greyhound who turns six years old next Friday, continued on his merry way at Mount Gambier yesterday when winning the Greg Martlew Autos Stake (400 metres) for Langhorne Creek trainer Tony Hinrichsen.
Away well from box eight, he chased last start winner Saint Charlotte until the home turn where he railed through before running out a length winner in 23.29 seconds. The win continued what has been a quite remarkable story – one that goes back eight years.
“I was actually part of a syndicate comprising four members of the AFL Masters club, the Phantoms. Together with Steve Huston, Paul Greenbank and Kym Golding we decided to purchase a greyhound called Ruby Swift who had just won her maiden at Ipswich,” Hinrichsen said.
“She was by the imported sire Premier Fantasy out of Black Caviar, an extremely well-bred unraced daughter of Brett Lee x Leprechaun Yap. So down the track we were always going to breed with her.”
But not before Ruby Swift had raced on 100 occasions for six wins, 36 minor placings and close to $10,000 in stakemoney. In February 2016 she was mated with Lochinvar Marlow, the subsequent litter resulting in two dogs and five bitches.
“One of the bitches was named Breemelia Swift and went around 103 times for 15 wins – the last win being at Mount Gambier. And, of course, one of the dogs races as Filthy Phantom.”
Filthy Phantom had his first start in December 2017 at Strathalbyn and followed up with his first win at the same track a couple of weeks later. His first Mount Gambier win was in May 2018 when he defeated Crikey Creeky.
However, according to Hinrichsen, it wasn’t until the middle of last year that the black dog started to attract more than a passing interest.
“Apparently the unofficial Australian record for the most number of starts at the time was held by a Victorian greyhound called Galloping Graham who had been retired after 250 starts.
“Filthy Phantom wasn’t too far off that mark and by the time October came around he had equalled the 250 starts ‘record’ when running second to Bangor Lizzy at Mount Gambier.”
Yesterday was Filthy Phantom’s 286th start and took his record to 34 wins, 47 seconds and 55 thirds. Hinrichsen is now hoping his veteran chaser can take things one step further.
“Look, he’s a happy and healthy dog and loves racing. We’re now hoping he will be able to hit the 300 starts mark.”
Filthy Phantom has also sired two litters – last November to Rusty Fury (124 race starts) and Spring Leesa (177). There should be a bit of durability among this lot.