Complete Puzzle

The breeding partnership of "Bechini Jackson Leeson" has aquired another outstanding breeding prospect in Complete Puzzle (Solve The Puzzle x Shy Token).

Complete Puzzle was a Group class bitch - being a finalist in the 2006 Group 2 Mckenna Memorial 715m (Sandown) winning her heat and beating leading stayers Bothing and Spalding.

Complete Puzzle ran fast times at a number of track inc. Nowra 31.22(M); Richmond 717m 42.64; WP 720m 42.88(twice)), 43.09, 43.43; Canberra 771m 45.89; Sandown 715m 42.71; Shepparton 650m 38.09 (TR 38.63); Geelong 41.00, 40.86 (TR 40.55.

Complete Puzzle comes from a quality litter, which included the smart Little Bit Shy and fellow Group race finalist Silver Bull.

Complete Puzzle traces back to the Stulynn dam line - a dam line which in recent years has produced such outstanding greyhounds as Bear Creek, Super Crystal, Super Ghost, Cobbalena, Artimbah, Flight Of Keroma, Keroma Fire, Keroma Khan, Tiny Keroma, Mantina & Scotirra.

W.A GREYHOUND OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS

Kalden Fury's flurry of feature race wins in the latter part of 2007. Has seen him rocket to nominal favourite for 2007 W.A Greyhound of the Year honours. The three likely finalists and their 2007 records can be seen below:

Kalden Fury

WON Anniversary Cup
WON Lew Dorsa Memorial
WON Carnival Cup
R/Up W.A State Sprint Final of National Sprint
3rd The Schweppes
Finalist Interstate Sprint Challenge
Best times: Cannington 30.20, Mandurah 27.38

Back Tonight

WON W.A State Final of National Sprint
Finalist Group 1 National Sprint (VIC)
Finalist Group 1 Perth Cup
Finalist Group 3 The Schweppes
Finalist Lew Dorsa Memorial
Finalist Carnival Cup
Best times: Cannington 30.18, Mandurah 27.51

Kostic Burns

WON Group 2 All Stars
3rd Group 2 Qld Derby
3rd Anniversary Cup
Finalist Group 1 Perth Cup
Finalist Group 2 Peter Mosman Final (NSW)
Finalist Group 2 W.A Derby
Finalist Group 3 Black Top (NSW)
Best times: Cannington 30.31, Mandurah 27.41

Kalden Fury smashes through the $200,000 mark

The V12 Pedigrees bred Kalden Fury finishes the year in a blaze of glory. Winning his last 5 races on the trot - which included the Anniversary Cup/Carival Cup heats & finals.

Kalden Fury takes his overall record to 75 starts 33-18-7 for prize money of $206,000 and becomes nominal favourite to win 2008 W.A Greyhound of the Year honours. Having finished runner up in the 2006 W.A Greyhound of the Year award. A testament to this hard chasing son of No Intent.

Kalden Fury on fire

V12 Pedigrees bred Kalden Fury continues his sensational winning form. This ferocious chaser off the back of winning the 2007 Anniversary Cup - wins his heat of the Carnival Cup in near track record time of 27.38(TR 27.26)!

A win in the final will see the V12 Pedigrees bred Kalden Fury surpass the $200,000 mark in career earnings.

Good Signing 5

Bechini, Jackson, Leeson are pleased to report Good Signing (Token Prince x Signing) has whelped 3 dogs & 2 bitches to Group 1 National Sprint Champ, Bit Chili.

All pups have been spoken for and while it it will be some time before these puppies reach the racetrack. Looking forward to seeing how far half siblings Hidden Meaning, Riddle Man and Secret Signing go in 2008!

Hidden Meaning behind track record

The Paul Cherry/Sandro Bechini bred Hidden Meaning (Solve The Puzzle x Good Signing) breaks the Goulburn 350m track record - setting the new clock at 19.81.

With Hidden Meaning's litter brother Riddle Man running down Group 2 Warragul Cup winner Magnificient Love (Geelong 25.19) in a heat of the Goulburn Cup in a flying 25.82 as a mere baby. The dam Good Signing is turning out to be a fantastic brood.

As mentioned previously the breeding partnership of Bechini, Jackson, Leeson has bred Good Signing to the explosive Bit Chili. And happy to report Good Signing looks to be heavily in pup, with her due any day now.

Some of the litter will be for sale.

Kalden Fury's Anniversary Cup

The V12 Pedigrees bred Kalden Fury contiunes on his feature race winning ways, with another superb victory in the 2007 W.A Anniversary Cup, beating a cracking line up, the likes of Kostic Burns (3rd), Back Tonight (8th) and Allegro Sun (4th).

Kalden Fury's victory takes his record to 72 starts 31-15-10 for prize money of around $195,000. Setting himself up for another tilt at W.A Greyhound of the Year - having already in 2007 won the Lew Dorsa Memorial Final and finishing runner up in the W.A Sprint Final of the National Sprint C'ships, a 3rd place in The Schweppes - along with being finalist in the Winter Cup & Interstate Sprint Challenge.

Elite State/M'Lady's Fool and Irish bloodlines.

Elite State(Just The Best x Spark Again) a 100% blood relation to M'Lady's Fool (Just The Best x Heart Spark) has found to be nothing short of a sensational cross when bred to the outcross.

Elite State currently is sire of Irelands and one of the world's great racing greyhounds - Catunda Harry. Already mentioned earlier bin this blog, Catunda Harry has since won his second GROUP 1 event, the highly regarded Waterford Masters, defeating Irelands best dogs by a commanding 6 lengths, in the fastest time of the year at Waterford.

Catunda Harry was already the National Record holder for the 525y - in doing so the only greyhound in history to better the magical "28" second mark and winner of the GROUP 1 Irish Laurels. Now he is a bonafide superstar and a "million" dollar commodity - with world-wide stud appeal. The benefits of outcross matings...greater international appeal.

Not a bad advertisment for Irish blood crossed with the Elite State/M'Lady's Fool bloodline.

Of course what many might not realise - Elite State when bred to the imported Irish broodbitch Sunnyside Girl (Trade Official x Advert Lady) has again produced a GROUP winning greyhound in Kostic Burns. The nominal favourite to win 2007 W.A Greyhound of the Year honours - having already made the final of the Group 1 Perth Cup, Group 2 Peter Mosman (Wentworth Park) as fastest qualifier and Group 2 Black Top (The Gardens), again winning his heat in a flying 29.55.

Again, when Elite State was bred to another imported irish brood in Lady Derry (Come On Ranger x Quare Season) it produced Check Ya Pockets - runner up in the Flying Amy Puppy Classic, finalist Young Guns, 29.99 The Meadows & 25.76 Gold Coast.

What might the mating of Irelands Droopys Maldini x M'Lady's Fool (Elite State) produce? A mating incorporating much of the Catunda Harry mating through Larkhill Jo and Murlens Chill.

4 beautiful male puppies will be for sale @ $4,000ea. Expression of interest can be e-mailed to info@v12pedigrees.com.au

"Blue" Greyhounds

Why is it many people dislike or even disregard the colour "blue" in greyhounds? As legendary breeder/trainer Steve Kavanagh said in a recent article "...there are that many old wives tales in greyhound racing. If you believed all of them you would never leave your house through fear" The reality of course is they are just that...old wives tales!

While the colour "blue" in the greyhound is somewhat rare - most likely due to the fact the colour "blue" is a dilution of arguably the most popular colour "black". The FACTS are the colour "blue" is behind some of racings greatest names, both on the racetrack and at stud. The likes of;

Malawi's Prince - a "blue" greyhound, who set the track alight...breaking the great Farmer George's Olympic Park track record (29.55) and in doing so, he [Malawi's Prince] became the only greyhound to ever break 29.50 at Victoria's former premier Metropolitan racetrack...setting the record at 29.47. Malawi's Prince went on to be a champion sire...with such notables as Hall of Fame bitch Tenthill Doll, Amongst Thieves (blue), Westend Prince (blue), Toolibuk (blue), Awesome Mclaren (blue), Blue Lustre (blue), Mighty Glory (blue), Roxy Reason (blue), Addict's Actor (blue), Hillcrest (blue), Time Shock (blue) & Young Daisy (blue)

Of course Malawi's Prince is the sire of the legendary Token Prince and dam sire of so many superstars, such as, Collision, Modern Assassin, Collide, Dancing Habit etc

Promises Free - a superstar racebitch, "blue" in colour and dam of the "Litter of the Century"...Amerigo Man, West Cape, Walkabout Sid, Bogenfel, Carnival Boy etc.

Placard - a "blue" greyhound, winning the GROUP 1 National Sprint and GROUP 1 Topgun. Proven both a successful sire and dam sire. As dam sire his star grand daughter is also blue, namely Tasman Queen.

Side note - Tasman Queen's sire Where's Pedro had two round 1 winners of the GROUP 1 Sapphire Classic...Tasmna Queen & Brooklyn Belle - both "blue" in colour.

Droopys Maldini - the peoples "blue" coloured champion the last 2 or 3 years. Winning the GROUP 1 Champion Stakes, GROUP 1 Boylesports International - and running some of the fastest times ever seen over Shelbourne Park's 550y (29.43, 29.47, 29.55 - T.R 29.42). Droopys Maldini is starting to make a real noise as a sire, already siring a GROUP 1 winner and GROUP race finalists such as the "blue" coloured Farloe Batman & Farloe Superman. As Malawi's Prince did...Droopys Maldini is destined to have many of his top offspring the colour "blue".

Bahama Image - a "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 Golden Easter Egg, GROUP 1 National Derby and was running for a $100,000 bonus if he was able to win a third GROUP 1 event at Sydney's premier track Wentworth Park

Springtime Magic - "blue" coloured QLD Greyhound of the Year...no surprise that her dam sire is the "blue" coloured Malawi's Prince.

Excite Ability - 28kg "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 Melbourne Cup & GROUP 2 Temlee. Winning over $300,000 in prize money. Interesting his sire, Bearability was "blue & white.

Slippy Blue (UK) - a "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 English Greyhound Derby, GROUP 1 Sussex Cup, All England Cup.

Parkdown Jet (UK) - "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 English Greyhound Derby

Climate Control (Ire) - "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 Irish Greyhound Derby

Ardkill Jamie (Ire) - "blue" coloured winner of the GROUP 1 Easter Cup, GROUP 1 Champion Stakes

Mineola Farloe (Ire) - "blue" coloured GROUP 1 Easter Cup, GROUP 1 Tote Gold Cup

Flamingo Dancer - high class "blue" coloured bitch and multiple GROUP race finalist. Her dam was the high class "blue" coloured racebitch Magnacarter.

Magnacarter - is behind a dynasty of current racing greyhounds and no surprise her "blue" colour is behind her high class grand daughter, the "blue" coloured Magnitude.

History Lesson - a very fast "blue" coloured greyhound and quality sire of such notables as Irinka Barbie & the exceptionally fast "blue" coloured Mountain Dry.

Winsome Blue - a "blue" coloured flyer and star dam of Winsome Dollars. Winsome Blue's "blue" colour seen to the fore in her Grand son...the "blue" coloured Winsome Lesson - the only greyhound to break 26 seconds around Bulli's 472m trip...stopping the clock at 26.98 in winning the GROUP 3 Bulli Gold Cup, by the length of the straight.

Franklin Mint - the superstar "blue" coloured speedster and foundation dam of a dynasty of stars...the likes of Mint Magic, Mint Mojo, Queen Mint and Lindale Blue. Franklin Mint's "blue" colour well to the fore through her white & blue daughter Queen Mint and the influence seen with LB being white & blue in colour.

Trip And Go - sired by the champion U.S.A sire Fortress. Trip And Go was a "blue" coloured speedster, who ran 29.69 around Sandown Park (VIC) and was a finalist in the GROUP 1 Golden Easter Egg, won by Brett Lee. Trip And Go was undefeated in the 3 rounds leading up to the Final.

Other "blue" coloured notables - Droopys Scholari, West Tipp, Blue Majestic, Express Ego, Bearability, Blue Merlin, Jaxerback, Honcho Classic, Dromana Blue etc etc

As you can see there are FACTS and there are Old Wive's Tales...clearly the "blue" coloured greyhound is an exceptional choice when choosing a potential puppy. As without doubt it is one of the rarer colours found in the racing greyhound. Yet the "blue" coloured greyhounds performances as shown above has no peer!

Droopys Maldini (Ire) x M'Lady's Fool (Aus)

Received some exciting news last night - with my former GROUP 2 winning bitch M'Lady's Fool whelping a healthy 6 dogs & 3 bitches to Irish superstar Droopys Maldini. Droopys Maldini was in the mould of Malawi's Prince as far as top end speed was concerned. And like Malawi's Prince, Droopys Maldini is already being tipped by many good judges and stat men as the next big Irish sire.

In only a short time at Stud, Droopys Maldini already has a GROUP 1 winner in Farloe Reason - a litter full of promising puppies...the likes of Shelbourne Park winner Final Pasty, Farloe Mirror and the lightning fast Ninja Jamie. Away from this exceptional litter, Droopys Maldini is the sire of 2006 GROUP 1 Irish Puppy Derby finalist - Droopys Mal. A dog who set the rounds of the GROUP 1 competition alight with flying sub 28.50 runs and winning his first 8 starts. Droopys Maldini is also the sire of GROUP 1 finalist Romeo Maldini as well as GROUP 2 finalists Farloe Batman & Farloe Superman. The stats men say Maldini's percentages for OPEN (city) class greyhounds is unheard of for a "freshman" sire.

Any wonder with the above start, Droopys Maldini is attracting the calibre of bitch as M'Lady's Fool (Aus). A winner of 19 from 25 starts, including an unbroken winning sequence of 14 consecutive city/TAB wins. Culminating in winning her heat and final of the GROUP 2 QLD FUTURITY. Only Kate's A Scandal has a better city/TAB winning sequence in the history of Australian greyhound racing - holding the record at 15 consecutive city/TAB wins.

M'Lady's Fool was also the star of Australia's #1 litter for 2002 - a litter that included Group class dogs City Of Sydney, Shrewd Slater, Fool's Heart (sire), Cardio Spark & White Spark. A litter that amassed over $300,000 in prize money.

M'Lady's Fool's comes from one of Australia's "million dollar" dam lines. Her dam Heart Spark was 2002 Australian Broodbitch of the Year & 2002/03 QLD Broodbitch of the Year. With Heart Spark's two litters to Just The Best amassing over $500,000 in prize money.

Heart Spark is a 100% older blood sister to Spark Again - dam of "million dollar" stud dog Elite State. With Elite State also being by Just The Best - makes him a 100% blood relation to M'Lady's Fool

You only have to look how well Irish blood crosses with the M'Lady's Fool dam line - with M'Lady's Fool's 100% blood relation Elite State the sire of Ireland's #1 greyhound - the sensational dual GROUP 1 winning, National record holding - Catunda Harry. The Droopys Maldini x M'Lady's Fool mating incorporates much of the Catunda Harry mating, through Droopys Maldini carrying and bred on the duplication of Catunda Harry's MURLENS CHILL dam line.

Some of the Droopys Maldini (Ire) x M'Lady's Fool (Aus) litter will be for sale.

Stud Ads of the Past - Part 2

While Credibility is a real "sire of sires" line. Arguably Chariot Supreme has no peer when it comes to influence in not only the Australian but Ire/UK pedigree as well through the pioneering Frightful Flash and his duel Derby winning son - Toms The Best and Sonic Flight.

How many sires have a record like Chariot Supreme? Champion sire a number of years running. Sire of a Hall Of famer [Highly Blessed]. Dam sire of not one but two Hall of Famers [Flying Amy & Tenthill Doll]. Great Grand sire of a Hall of Famer [Brett Lee].
Duplicated in how many GROUP winning greyhounds - not just in Oz but Ire/UK as well.

Of course now we are seeing Chariot Supreme's influence through the exploits of Brett Lee and thus in the US as well (Click on the ad to enlarge)

Stud Ads of the Past - Part 1

Interesting to look back at some old stud ads for, as it has turned out, breed shapers in the current racing greyhound. The most famous sire line in Australia today - the "Credibility" sire line (click on the ad to enlarge)

Miagi a stud proposition?

This staying superstar continues to eclipse track records wherever he goes. The past week has seen the recent GROUP 2 Sydney Cup winner break Texas Gold's track record at The Gardens - adding to his Maitland & Wentworth Park records. Unlike Texas Gold, Miagi does his record breaking from the front - a real speed stayer. Which begs the question what chance of Miagi at stud?

Looking back to his crowning moment (to date) the GROUP 2 Sydney Cup in a track record 42.03. From box rise Miagi was a sight to be hold - stopping the first section split at 16.15. A split time that compares favourably to the now defunct 280m distance track record of 15.98. So is he your classic stayer type?

In yesteryear stayers were given a much fairer chance at stud and have had some excellent success. The likes of the great Travel Rev sired N.S.W Greyhound of the Year Kawati Boy. Himself the sire of classic winner Handicap. Travel Rev can be found in three great modern dam lines i.e Worthy Reward's/Kumta Chase's Kirsty's First dam line and the prolific Make Me Fly dam line of Supermarine, Lucy Lawless, Kedo's Millie etc. A dam line that branches to W.A Greyhound of the Year Reggemite.

Statistician - a brilliant stayer of the mid to late 1980's, had nice success especially through the dam Subtle Charm - producing an exceptionally fast litter in Impulsive Status, Subtle Addition & Status Reign. Legendary breeder Paul Wheeler also tasted success with Satisitician and it continues today through successful sire Lansley Bale and the exceptionally fast Cromlah Bale.

Miagi traces back to the UK "Beaded Lil" dam line a notable sire influence. Seen to most effect in Australia through the Roma Cutlet branch and Group 1 Australian Cup winner and successful sire The Smoother. Of course Miagi's dam line in more recent years has produced the likes of N.S.W Greyhound of the Year Big Sam Banner - a successful sire from very limited opportunities. Along with GROUP class greyhounds - Tye Webb, Banner Park, Marlon Banner, Snow Legend and Sleepy Jane.

What chance Miagi will be the next successful staying sire?

2007 Irish Laurels to Catunda Harry

Great to see National Record Holder Catunda Harry achieve what only the very best do - a classic win.

From the reported 5 figure sum changing hands before the start of his career. To justifying the purchase price with a 28.55 (525y) run around Shelbourne. Off to Limerick for his unbelievable National Record of 27.99...the first greyhound in history to break the magical "28 seconds" for the 525y. Then back to Shelbourne for a scintillating 29.60 (550y). Culminating with an all class performance to stave off and then draw away from 2007 Irish Derby Finalist Tyrur Laurel in the "Laurels".

A win not only connections can be well satisfied. But, also the breeder and Australian sire Elite State [pictured] as well.

Roll on 2008 and Catunda Harry!

Good Signing to Bit Chili

It's with great interest the "Bechini Jackson Leeson" breeding venture has put exciting matron Good Signing (Token Prince x Signing) to Bit Chili.

Good Signing's first litter (ex Solve The Puzzle) has just commenced racing and includes the very smart Hidden Meaning (Dapto 29.84) and Riddle Man. Both already Wentworth Park city winners when reaching the Semi Final stage of the recent $20,000 Laurie Healion Maiden Series at Wentworth Park. Good Signing being a litter sister to GROUP 2 Sydney Cup winner Resigned and from the dam line of in recent years - Black Enforcer, Magnitude, Magnamize, Magnate, Flaming Dancer, Lochinvar Jet, Bahama Image, Magnacarter, Bahama Blue, Fair Sentence etc. Augers well for an interesting if not exciting breeding.

"Bechini Jackson Leeson" will in all probability use their stored Digital (Larkhill Jo x Frosty Rose) straw on Good Signing next.

Rain Gauge

This Group 2 winner and competitve Group race performer, carries the interesting Family Ties aka Fanfreluche [Encosta De Lago & Flying Spur] tail line as dam sire. At a service fee of $2000 plus GST - could this bargain basement sire, surprise with a smart performer in future years?

Usually we see sires at such a low fee, largely lacking racetrack performance. However, excitingly for the smaller breeder, Rain Gauge racetrack performance was far greater than his stud fee.

Of course Rain Gauge's tail line traces back to immortal stayer Rain Lover.

Collision and Just The Best

Collision has established himself as a promising first season sire. Already sitting above Brett Lee in 3rd spot on the Wentworth Park city sires list in his freshman season.

While Collision's success can't be soley attributed to his clicking with Just The Best females. It is impossible not to notice, the vast majority of his star performers are out of Just The Best females. With the likes of:

* Prey For Mercy - Group 2 $25,000 to- the-winner Gosford Gold Cup

* Classy Dresser - multiple Group race finalist, FFA Albion Park

* Control - multiple Group race finalist

* Moorbel Jack 10;7-1-1...tonight completing a Wentworth Park hattrick of wins.

* Optimal - 24.87 Ipswich

Collision is a sire blessed with no Amerigo Man, West Cape etc. And with the further removed carry of New Tears and Chariot Supreme - therefore not overly inbreeding these well established lines in the Australian pedigree. As evidenced by his [Collision] flying son All Caution.

Droopys Maldini

Already an established sire through the very smart Droopys Mal's standout performances in the 2006 Irish Puppy Derby. It was great to see former Ireland #1 racer Droopys Maldini sire his first GROUP 1 winner on thursday night - byway of the brilliant Farloe Reason winning the 2007 William Hill Northern Puppy Derby in Sunderland.

With a multitude of smart performers in this litter (Ninja Jamie, Final Patsy, Farloe Mirror) - is this the litter to stamp Maldini as a future leading sire?With such an intense pedigree. It would seem Droopys Maldini, is destined for a certain degree of world wide success.

Dundrum Prince

Great to see this former "Derby" class dog sire a quality pup in Ballintine Drum. Already a class performer before lining up in the Puppy Derby at Harolds Cross. Ballintine Drum, firmly showed his ability with a hard fought deadheat victory with boom puppy Ballymac Penske.

Jumping smartly and checking wide at the first bend - Ballintine Drum knuckled down to rail up down the back and scoot clear...only to be matched on the line for a deadheat win by arguably Irelands most exciting puppy, Ballymac Penske. Ballintine Drum & Ballymac Penske stopped the clock at 28.84. Further enhancing both pups reputations as future star performers.

Tragically, Ballintine Drum sustained an injury and had to be withdrawn from the remainder of the Puppy Derby. Further enhancing his deadheat performance with Ballymac Penske.

Dundrum Prince offers up a rarely discussed sire line - that of Jamella Prince aka the MALAWI'S PRINCE sire line. A sire line successful in Ireland & UK through Jamella Prince. But of course the sire line of the legendary Token Prince.

With immediate success through Ballintine Drum. Is Dundrum Prince and that of the Jamella Prince [Malawi's Prince] sire line, something breeders should take more note of...