When King Kinloch steps out for race five at Gosford tomorrow night he will be chasing his 46th SECOND placing in 141 starts.
King Kinloch's 140 races so far have yielded just four wins but when he finished second in a fast 22.18 over 388m at Gosford last Saturday he notched his 45th runner's up cheque for trainer Noelene Holloway.
A real quinella king and a place punter's dream, King Kinloch seems destined to retain his "bridesmaid'' status although Holloway is not complaining.
Her consistent sprinter has netted over $35,000 in prizemoney and must surely be the epitome of what trainers often call a great "bread and butter" greyhound.
Green Siren broke a stopper bone in a trial at Maitland on Saturday, continuing the wretched run of ill fortune being endured by trainer Darryl Thomas.
Thomas, whose dog Xerri was runner-up to Handsome Prince in last year's TAB Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park, said: "Green Siren had not raced since incurring the same injury last July and after clocking a smart 22.30 in his comeback trial over 400m at Maitland he was lame again.
"He broke down after finishing second in a heat of the group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park and I had to scratch him from the final.
"Green Siren is unlikely to race again, joining my other top notchers Xerri and Whitfield, who has won nine from 15 races, on the sidelines.
"Xerri is almost certainly finished too but while he and Whitfield were fast dogs, Green Siren is the quickest greyhound I have ever trained, so I am just shattered.''
Simply Smudge, who finished third to Playlist in the Vic Peters Classic final at Wentworth Park on July 11, is a far better dog than his "steady'' winning time of 30.34 at headquarters last Wednesday would suggest.
Simply Smudge was badly hampered trying to get around the speedy Murdoch Keeping in the early and middle stages but showed great tenacity to hit the front on the home turn.
Favourite backers were alarmed when Simply Smudge shortened stride considerably near the winning post, with trainer Peter Rodgers explaining: "He cramped up something awful.
"Simply Smudge cramped so badly he couldn't walk, let alone run, going into the catching pen.
"This is a really special greyhound and if I can keep him sound he is capable of going all the way.''
Barcia Blue Boy, who won twice in near record times over 472m at Bulli last month, is set to be a surprise starter in Saturday week's heats of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park.
Barcia Blue Boy is a litter brother to Saturday night's 29.85 Wenty winner Vicki's Queen and has clocked 29.80 winning at headquarters.
"Because of his record of metacarpal problems Barcia Blue Boy is better suited on one-turn tracks like Bulli than courses like Wentworth Park but he is too good to leave out of a race like the Easter Egg,'' owner Dawn Garrett said.
Barcia Blue Boy has chalked up a remarkable record of eight wins and three placings from 11 starts and trainer Peter Lagogiane, a dual Million Dollar Chase winner, said: "If he stays sound he could be anything.''
