Greyhound smashed up in NSW

[Guest guest]

> NSW NEWS

> OWNING a greyhound can be enough anguish in itself but combined with the

> avenues of life and as NSW trainer Peter Evans knows, it's like being

> involved in the twilight zone.

> A country boy who grew up in Goulburn, in the state's Southern Tablelands,

> Evans experienced one of the most horrific incidents seen on a racetrack

> last month.

> A $1000 purchase back in November, 2000, Lighter entered the Evans kennels

> with an attitude problem or as Evans describes, a confidence problem.

> " He needs the individual attention of a small kennel, he seemed to have a

> mind of his own and my kids also helped, " he said.

> Lighter was purchased from a syndicate of owners involving former Dapto

> secretary David Newling.

> They thought the dog may have not been as brilliant as first thought. He

> was a buy through the Dapto Auction and trained by Evans' good friend Col

> McGuigan. They have interchanged with greyhounds for the past few years

> meeting with success. On this occasion Evans bought the dog outright.

> After a three months break from racing, Lighter was able to win his first

> three starts for Evans at Canberra and Goulburn by a total of 15 lengths.

> After a further three months break he returned to win his first city race

> at Wentworth Park by 15 lengths in the best of the night.

> Evans found the key or it was more a relationship with his dog. They

> trusted

> each other and the results were coming. But the biggest thrill was still to

> come.

> Due to his brilliant victory, Evans gave him just four more starts during

> the next three months and set him for the Paws Of Thunder. His thoughts

> were justified after a third in theheats and the fastest a flying 30.04.

> Then

> the test a tougher semi and he arrived in time to finish second and qualify

> for the final.

> This was a big occasion for Evans. Never before had he been associated with

> a major race in Australia. His effort to finish fifth behind Suellen Bale

> was nothing short of outstanding. He was a fifth grade sprinter elevated to

>

> the elite level.

> Again Lighter was sent for a spell and returned to win first up on Derby

> night running another fast 30.28. He had four more outings before his

> engagement last month.

> For the quietly spoken Evans, it all started nearly 30 years ago when he

> bought his first pup which never even got to the racetrack. A sign maybe

> not to go any further but he pushed on and eventually got his first winner

> with

> Pacific Judge at Temora.

> He has placed his success firmly towards close friend and local

> breeder/trainer, Max Tyler.

> " Max has taught me everything I know, I regard him as a better trainer than

> some of our top conditioners in the state, " he said.

> " He trains his dogs like an athlete and due to the fact he only has one

> litter a year, it reduces his numbers " .

> Max incorporates his own fitness program into his dogs.

> Tyler was an outstanding athlete himself and once held the Australian 800m

> record before it was broken by Herb Elliott.

> Evans started out with four kennels in a residential part of Goulburn

> before moving 15 years ago to his current 30 acre property, which is

> situated about 10km out of town.

> He is well established with seven race kennels, spelling and raring yards

> and runs.

> Evans has also served well for his local greyhound club. He has been

> vice-president at Goulburn and worked as the lure driver, judge, timekeeper

> and even a short period as club steward.

> He was also one of the original members of the committee that formed the

> club after it was taken over from the local show society.

> But the unexpected hit when Lighter left the boxes in a fifth grade race at

> WP last month. Just before the winning post, the dog hit the rail and lure

> post.

> Stunned patrons saw the black dog peel the skin of his chest apart and

> smash two legs.

> It was a sickening sight, a night Evans says is hard to forget.

> " I was by myself and was in shock at the time, stunned, in disbelief what

> had just happened, it was a long drive home alone, " he said of the night.

> Lighter had become one of the family, his kennel remains empty.

> No dog deserves an ending like that but for Peter and his family, they

> cherish what they have together and move on with the memories of one

> stubborn-minded dog who gave them so much excitement.

> And one night of fame.

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