100th Start for Orphan Point at Wentworth Park Saturday
Grand old stager Orphan Point will be lining up for his 100th race start when he contests race 5 at Wentworth Park next Saturday November 21, a FFA over 520 metres.
The race is named for Orphan Point after connections chose to take a race naming sponsorship to commemorate this milestone for their much loved performer. Owners of Orphan Point are listed as “The Point Syndicate – Manager Allan Hudson”.
Orphan Point is a remarkable performer – he is over 4 and a half years old – a veteran of the sport whelped on Anzac Day in 2005. Despite his age he is still competitive in top company at Wentworth Park. He last won there two starts back on October 31, 2009.
Gary Ernst of Lochinvar has a soft spot for his remarkable old racer that he has trained throughout his career. Gary has really looked after his grand old performer who has won 25, placed second 18 times and third 16 times from his 99 starts, with career earnings of $92,195.
Orphan Point's Wentworth Park stats (all 520) read 64 starts for 15-11-9 best 30.07. Connections got a great thrill when the greyhound qualified for the final of the 2008 Group 1 NCA Paws of Thunder won by One Tree Hill after running second in the semi final won by Lorna Moira.
While there was no joy for connections in the final – and they had no expectations of success in such a high calibre event -they were happy to be there and enjoyed the occasion immensely.
There will be more than a little emotion in the Orphan Point camp when the starters line up for race 5 at Wentworth Park on Saturday with Orphan Point in the rails box for a century of race starts.