Starline Express and Over Thinking suffer career-ending injuries
It was a sad turn of events at Wentworth Park as two dogs from the renowned Gardoll family faced a tragic end on Friday night.
Starline Express, a sprinter, and his impressive kennelmate Over Thinking, who had achieved a streak of 13 wins in a row, both suffered severe injuries that marked the end of their racing careers.
Starline Express, born from the lineage of Fernando Bale and Spooky Sensation, is under the ownership of Dave Mennie and trained by Craig Gardoll, son of Reg Gardoll.
The greyhound's exceptional skills were evident in his record of 14 wins out of 35 races and earnings totalling $125,000.
Reg Gardoll, a trainer with over fifty years in the field, expressed sorrow over the incident, calling it a “tragic loss.” He highlighted Starline Express's performance in trials after returning from Victoria, showcasing his unmatched speed and dominance on the racetrack.
During their races that night, both Starline Express and Over Thinking seemed poised for victory.
Starline Express was leading by three lengths, while Over Thinking had a ten-length advantage.
However, fate intervened abruptly to shatter the Gardolls hopes for success.
Starline Express, known as one of his top greyhounds in his 55-year training career at Gardoll's kennel, has showcased his talent in prestigious races.
He claimed victory in the Dave Brett Memorial Maiden at Albion Park when he later secured second place in notable events like the Group 1 National Derby, Group 3 Grafton Cup, and Pop Northfield Maiden.
Moreover, Starline Express impressed spectators by making it to the finals of competitions like the Group 1 Hobart 1000, Group 2 Queensland Derby, and Group 3 Launching Pad.
With a future ahead of him, he was gearing up for upcoming races such as the Thunderbolt at Grafton.
Reg Gardoll emphasised Starline Express's achievement of breaking the 20-second mark at Grafton, a feat not seen by any other greyhound recently.
Despite facing obstacles, Reg hinted that there might be talks about Starline Express pursuing a stud career post-surgery under Dave Mennies consideration.
The Gardoll family, renowned for their dedication to greyhound racing, now faces challenges as they navigate through this period.
The greyhound racing community comes together to support the Gardoll's during this time.
Acknowledges their significant contributions to the sport and their passion for their four-legged athletes.