Dyna Willow’s Consistent Career Comes To An End
Her career might not equal that of fellow retiree Xylia Allen, but consistent stayer Dyna Willow will be remembered for her determination and stamina, which contributed to her brilliant twenty career wins that spanned across eight different tracks in three Australian states.
Surprisingly the daughter of Collision and Horizon Bale began her career over the 390 metre distance at Warrnambool, finishing sixth, before placing fifth at her next start over the 450 metres at Ballarat. Trainer Steve Collins decided to step his chaser up to the 525m at The Meadows and was rewarded with a sensational fifteen and a half length win in a fast time of 29.97.
Despite failing at her first two attempts over the 600m at The Meadows, Dyna Willow impressed on debut over 595m at Sandown Park, clocking 34.31 in a four length victory. Just one week later, stepping out at her first attempt over the testing 715m journey at Sandown, the 28kg chaser demolished her rivals by fourteen lengths in a time of 41.99.
Dyna Willow's first claim to fame occurred in December of last year, where she saluted in the Group Three Summer Cup Final at Wentworth Park in a sizzling time of 41.92 over 720 metres. Collins' daughter Tammy travelled all over Australia with Dyna Willow, who provided the Collins family with some lifetime memories.
“My daughter went everywhere with her (Dyna Willow) and they had some great times together,” said Steve.
The Collins' sensational summer continued with Dyna Willow victorious by a nose in the Group Two $40,000 Summer Plate Final over 720m at Wentworth Park. In a superb exhibition of strength and stamina, she prevailed over Destini Fireball in a time of 42.48.
Tammy Collins and Dyna Willow embarked on a long journey to Western Australia just two weeks later to contest the Group One Galaxy over 715m. In a great go to the line, Dyna Willow came tantalising close taking out the $80,000 first prize, defeated by Born Ali in a margin of just a nose.
Disappointment soon turned to jubilation, as Dyna Willow got her revenge on Born Ali at Wentworth Park a month later, scoring by ten lengths in the $25,000 Betfair Cup Final, recording a blistering time of 41.74.
Dyna Willow's twentieth and final victory occurred during September, winning a heat of the Group Three Topcat Video at The Meadows, before finishing seventh in the final.
This truly gifted greyhound gave owner Brendan Wheeler and trainer Steve Collins some of the most exhilarating staying performances of the modern era, with her final career statistics of twenty wins and fifteen minor placings from just fifty seven starts simply outstanding. Her impressive prizemoney total of $260,970 is one yearned by many and she now embarks on her new journey to the breeding barn with her future litters guaranteed to attract plenty of interest from the greyhound fraternity.
A bitch I was lucky enough to write about, talk about & witness race ad infinitum, one of the better stayers of a handy crop which boasts Xylia Allen & Sweet It Is.
During her peak, she was ever reliable & won Group races from the front & running on.
It would be no surprise to see her pop up as the matron of some handy ones in a couple of years time.
A bitch I was lucky enough to write about, talk about & witness race ad infinitum, one of the better stayers of a handy crop which boasts Xylia Allen & Sweet It Is. During her peak, she was ever reliable & won Group races from the front & running on. It would be no surprise to see her pop up as the matron of some handy ones in a couple of years time.