Crocodile Hunter To Trainer Of Egotistical
Tim Mullany used to make a living as a crocodile hunter, before deciding that a dog bite hurts a lot less than a crocodile bite, opting for the safer animal companion.
In the two years that Mullany has had greyhounds, his best dog to date would have to be Egotistical, which is currently rocketing around the Mandurah racetrack. Although without a feature race to his name, Egotistical has always performed well in the heats of feature events.
After an unsuccessful visit to Tasmania for the Hobart Thousand, the 32 kilo dog has his eyes set on Mandurah's next feature event, the Birthday Cup over 405 metres on Friday night.
Heading into the Birthday Cup week Egotistical was under an injury cloud that kept trainer Tim Mullany questioning his dog's availability in the heats.
“He had an inch and a half gash on the back of his front leg that required a couple of stitches and some glue.” Mullany explained.
“Lucky it was in an area that had plenty of excess skin and we were able to pull it nice and tight. By gluing it as well as having stiches, we were able to keep him walking throughout.”
After going a month without a win, a forced freshen up was just what the black dog needed.
“He has worked pretty hard and done some traveling over the past month, so it probably didn't hurt him having time off. I hadn't been happy with him for a few weeks leading up to his injury; he has been blowing the start bit.”
After having his stitches out, the son of Collision – Drama Queen has been galloping better then ever.
“This week he is feeling good. I'm wrapped with how he worked, he has worked the best he ever has this week.”
Mullany and his syndicate partner Gary Cramphorn where advised to purchase Egotistical from New South Wales breeder Greg Aguis. Egotistical had four starts in Victoria before making the move West, winning three of them in handy times.
“We paid a bit for him; a huge part of it is having someone you trust to buy dogs off. When I brought Egotistical I had only been in the game for 18 months, so it was a big step. It probably would have been a bigger gamble if we brought him off someone we didn't know, but because we trust Greg made it a lot easier to take such a big step. Everything Greg has said his dogs would do when he has sold them to us, they have done.”
Since settling into Mullany's kennels, Egotistical has had 24 starts for 13 wins, as well as seven best of the night performances. He jumps mostly from the 405 boxes at Mandurah, but has made the trip to Northam on occasion, winning two out of three encounters on the country track.
“He was lacking in Melbourne, you can either be just a dog in Melbourne or come over here to potentially be one of the top dogs over the shorts. He potentially has a chance next year of being the Mandurah track star. That's why be brought him, just to have one of the top dogs around Mandurah.”
Mullany described buying good dogs for Cannington as almost pointless. With the likes of On Coin and Zelemar Fever running fantastic times week in week out, it is just too hard to buy a dog that has the ability to defeat the pair without putting a large dent in your pocket.
“There are plenty of dogs that can win in fast times in low grades but once you hit the top grade dogs it's a different story.”
The Karnup trainer has just brought a new kennel property to accommodate his need for more kennel space in the future. With only six kennels at his current property, Mullany doesn't have the space he has in mind for his future in greyhound racing.
“I would like to have a few more muck around dogs of my own, obviously I will expand with Gary, but buy a couple of dogs for myself as well.”
As for now, Egotistical is providing plenty of excitement for the Cramphorn Mullany Syndicate. Jumping from box five at 8.46 pm Perth time, he is in with a fighting chance in the Birthday Cup heats.
“From the squeeze box he has to get out, that's the key. He doesn't have to be in the front, he just has to be with them early. If he can do that he will be right.”
Cannington chasers Merlot Monelli (box one), Hello Knocka (box two) and Thunder Rama (box eight) bring strength into the race. Egotistical will have to improve his recent box manners to ensure these three don't get too much of a head start.
“You certainly know that if dogs like Merlot Monelli and Thunder Rama are in front of you they are going to be hard to run down. I think I've got a very fast dog. I'm not too worried about any dog in the heat if he jumps. If he misses it I am worried about every other dog!”
Weapped or rapt stupid spell checker? sorry Molly spelling is important, especially as the dogs leg was wrapped
Rapt/ rapture wrapped/ wrap something two different meanings must never trust that dictionary
Australian informaloverjoyed; delighted:the new minister declared that he was wrapped[ 1960s: blend of wrapped (up) ‘engrossed’ and http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/rapt]
Weapped or rapt stupid spell checker? sorry Molly spelling is important, especially as the dogs leg was wrapped
Rapt/ rapture wrapped/ wrap something two different meanings must never trust that dictionary
adjective
Australian informal