Dog Tales / Editor / 17 December 2007 / 1 Comments

Son of the owner of legendary Westmead Hawk talks highlights and lowlights in the sport of greyhound racing...

Describe your role within the greyhound world:

Gary Newbon calls me the racing manager for the Westmeads but I'm really just a greyhound enthusiast. I'm very lucky and privileged that my dad has happened to own some fantastic dogs including Special Account, Westmead Chick, Westmead Move, Sonic Flight and the great Westmead Hawk. I have also worked for Nick Savva doing some temporary kennel hand work when I'm not at university.

How did you get into the sport?

Since I can remember I have been going greyhound racing. My mum and dad always used to take the whole family to Hall Green where we would eat up in the restaurant and watch the racing. From then on I used to go with my dad around the country to watch our dogs.

What has been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment is Westmead Hawk winning his first Derby. I started being excited with him at Monmore when he picked up Marmions like it was a graded dog, when in fact it was the previous summer classic winner, from then on I travelled five hours to see him in each round of the Derby and everytime he left me shaking. When it came to the Derby final night I was trembling. I had been here before with Sonic Flight and our dreams were over at lid rise. We all left gutted and I didn't want to feel that heartache again. Then I looked over at my dad and thought 'if I'm worrying this much how's my dad?' as he'd been waiting for this moment for 40-odd years. But he was as cool as a cucumber, Simply The Best rang in our ears and we knew it was time. The parade is one of the worst moments for the nerves so I can't imagine how the kennelhands stay so calm. We all knew the Hawk would need to produce something special. He produced a vintage Hawk performance ... v slow away ... missed trouble at first ... used his trackcraft to get run down the backstraight, flew down the backstraight and finished with an almighty burst of speed. The dog had fulfilled all mine and my dad's dreams and it is something I will never forget. Thank you Nick and Westmead Hawk.

...and your lowest?

Any injury makes me very upset but none so than Westmead Hawk. When I heard the newsI was devastated. It's hard to explain but the dog owed us nothing but he loved his racing and it was hard to think that we would never see him being able to see him take on the best or even go over six bends where he would of been impossible to beat. I'm just so thankful that he's fully recovered and has no discomfort and is enjoying a happy stud career.

Greyhound racing is better than horseracing because...

You dont have to watch the dogs through a pair of binoculars and the form is so much easier to understand.

What are the three most important factors to consider before backing a dog?

First key factor for me is: does the dog have form at the track? If not, do not back it.
Look at sectional times so then I can form a picture in your head whats going to happen at the first bend so you can determine whether the dog will get a run.
What price is it? I dont back anything below evens as theres no value for the small stakes punter.

What must the sport do to attract more investment and interest from Joe Public?

The sport needs to advertise better to the general public. In the last 15 years I have seen one greyhound stadium advertised on TV and one advertised on the radio. Most people wouldn't know where a greyhound stadium was to be found let alone what they do there. The whole sport needs to be moved into the 21st century and not stuck in the past. The tracks need to be modernised to make them more appealing and friendly. The owners of the tracks need to keep their stadiums to the standard set by horseracing tracks. The quality of food at most tracks need to be addressed too. We need Gordon Ramsey to come in and sort out one of the tracks so the others can learn from it and improve theirs. Also I think on Sky nights they should employ cheerleaders in between races to kick up some atmosphere before the races.

Who is the best trainer around at the moment? And who is the greatest ever?

The best trainer around at the moment would be between Charlie Lister and Nick Savva. Charlie always seems to get the best out of all the dogs he has and his record speaks for it self. Nick however is the greatest ever for me. What he has achieved this year was just out of this world It's not just the three Derby wins in a row but he turned our Westmead Lord into the Derby king when this dog could only stay 420 metres at the most yet within four months he was a champion. He is a fantastic judge of a dog when they're young. The best thing is he breeds and rears all his pups and they are always in mint condition and always give 100%. He also knows how to progress a dog through a competition and to get them to peak on final night. He has consistently produced great dog after great dog and me and my dad owe him a lot for what he has done with our greyhounds.

Who is your best mate within greyhound racing and why?

My dad introduced me to the sport and we have been all over the British Isles to see the dogs run together. I used to put his money on for him as the bookies would see him and then scrub their prices and the value had gone. I speak to him frequently every week to talk about the dogs. We don't always agree about everything and we are always have rivalry over who we have backed but we're both greyhound enthusiasts and we love the thrill of watching our dogs win.

Which is your favourite-ever dog and why?

Westmead Hawk. Quite simply, every run was outstanding and his trackcraft was incredible. I have never seen anything like it and you knew with him that it wasn't over until it was over.

What one piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

Find a trainer you can trust and have confidence in and don't expect to get a return on your money. In other words, treat it as a hobby not a way to make money.

Do you ever read the Betfair forum?

Yes.

And finally give us a tip for next year's Derby...

Westmead Lord is my tip for next year but would have a couple of ante-post bets as it makes the derby that bit more special. My outsider tip is Westmead Kewell trading at over [101.0].

Comments (1)

1. betfair forum user | 22 December 2007

   It's okay for someone who's dad makes lots of money to talk about how newcomers shouldn't expect to break even/make a profit

   That is the real problem with the sport, not the lack of cheerleaders or Gordon Ramsey food.

   The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

   I do not think of the Mortons as people who would do this to greyhounds, but that sort of attitude is a reason why Seaham occurred.

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