Krakatini Syndicate Might Have Cause To Celebrate
Geelong assistant coach Ken Hinkley and a number of Camperdown footballers will be hoping that grand final week kick's off on the right foot when their chaser Jordy's A Robber runs at Ballarat's Morshead Park on Thursday.
The group formed a syndicate called Krakatini (pronounced Krak-A-Tini) to race some greyhounds under the care of Bacchus Marsh trainer Simon Payne.
The first of their chasers to hit the track is Jordy's A Robber which contests Race 1 on the 10 race twilight program, the PETstock Animal Supplies Maiden.
Jordey's A Robber has had three race starts, with his best result to date being a second placing at Bendigo two starts ago.
The son of Pure Octane's form is encouraging given he has struck interference at his other two race starts, which ruined his chances in those outing's.
“He's no superstar, but he is honest and once you get him in the boxes he tries his heart out.” Payne said.
Payne said that it has taken a while to get Jordy's A Robber to the track, but he is now a “mad keen chaser who has turned the corner.”
“I expect him to give a good account of himself.” he said.
Jordy's A Robber has an awkward Box 5 draw to overcome today and will need some luck in running to salute the judge.
Other chances in an open race include debutante Barack Beauty and Jacoby Velvet.
Barack Beauty is trained at Scarsdale by Wayne Wrout and is a litter sister to the promising Not Mum's Choice. The first starter will jump from Box 8.
Jacoby Velvet for Bendigo trainer Daniel Pell has drawn the coveted Box 1.
At her last start she was only moderately out of the boxes, but on that occasion ran an encouraging fourth to Kardinia Park.
Jacoby Velvet will step up in distance from 430 to 450 metres, but should still go well from her box draw.
Payne is well known in the Ballarat area as he is a premiership player and current coach of Melton Football Club.
Payne has been training greyhounds on a part time basis for the past 6 years due to football commitments, and his employment with Victoria Police.
“I would like to put more time in greyhound training in the future as I enjoy all the characters you meet in the sport. It is also a good break from my work commitments.” he said.
Payne's entry into greyhound racing was through a friend Sam Bamford who had a dog called Special Jet.
He has since gone on to own, and then train a couple of dog's for himself and other owners.
But this week it will be all focus on Jordy's A Robber as he strives to break his maiden status, and hopefully provide his syndicate of owners with their first victory of the week.