Aussie Brothers On Warragul Collision Course

MATTHEW Clark’s decision to go into full-time training has received a boost with the emergence of litter-brothers Playlist and Catch The Thief.

MATTHEW Clark's recent decision to dive head first into full-time greyhound training has received a considerable boost with the emergence of hugely exciting litter-brothers Playlist and Catch The Thief.

Last Tuesday at Warragul the highly talented 18-month old sons of Aussie Infrared and Dundee Ally put on quite the show at their race track debut, taking out their respective heats of the GRV Vic Breeders Maiden Series (460m) in stunning fashion.

Showing enormous potential in trials leading into last week, Catch The Thief was a commanding 25.78 winner of the opening heat, while later in the program, Playlist took out the fourth and final qualifier by a big margin in 25.85.

"They are both very impressive young pups and to be honest I still think they're 4-5 runs away from showing what they are really capable of," beamed trainer Matthew Clark.

"A month ago I would have told you Playlist had about three lengths on Catch The Thief but in the last month or so of pre-training that's almost turned right around … they've got me really excited the way they are progressing."

For 46-year old trainer Matthew Clark, the arrival of Playlist and Catch The Thief couldn't have come at a more opportune time.

Four months ago the Briagolong-based conditioner gave up his full-time role as track manager with the Sale Turf Club to begin educating and training greyhounds on a larger scale with wife Bianca on their seven-acre property.

"I've been in the industry for about 30 years now and had been thinking for a while about giving it a go full-time … I just decided now was the right time," Clark said.

"Bianca and I have a great property here at Briagolong which is about 3 ½ hours out of Melbourne. We do all our own rearing, breaking-in and pre-training … I think these days if you can it's a big advantage to do it yourself."

On Tuesday night, Playlist and Catch The Thief will size up the $7,500 to-the-winner GRV Vic Bred Maiden Final (460m) at Warragul, ironically drawing boxes one and eight, the same draws they negotiated for their heat winning performances.

"I got a call on the way home from the track last week with the box draw and thought they were joking when they said they had one and eight again," Clark told.

"The draws look perfect for both of them. Catch The Thief has the more early speed of the two but Playlist had the best run home time of the heats last week – he'll go straight to 500 at Sandown after Tuesday's final. I'll keep Catch The Thief to the 400s for a little while longer.

"They'd both been running super times in trials so there was no surprise they were so heavily backed last week. I took them to Sale about three weeks ago for a 440m field trial after the last and Playlist won his trial by about 15 lengths and went 24.82. The next trial Catch The Thief went 24.62 with a 13.54 back section. I almost couldn't believe it.

"Their trials at Warragul have been just as good … over the 400 heading into the heats Catch The Thief went 22.41 and Playlist ran 22.53."

While the talented brothers are expected to be front and centre for Tuesday night's finale, their opposition showed glowing ability last week also, the remaining heats going the way of Aston Stealth for Glenn Rounds in 25.83 while You Tell Me recorded 25.79 for Kel Greenough.

"It's a very good field … whoever wins it will definitely earn it," Clark added.

Clark was quick to heap praise on the pair's owner Louie Cardillo who purchased the two pups at five months of age.

"We got pointed in their direction and Louie bought the two of them … they were beautiful pups," Clark explained.

"When Playlist was six months old he smashed a toe quite bad and it cost Louie about $2000 to fix … he's a fantastic supporter of the industry as a sponsor at Sale and is great to train for. There's a lot of trust there."

Catch The Thief and Playlist's emergence continue the early success Aussie Infrared is enjoying at stud, his progeny winning 30 of their initial 154 starts at a strike-rate of 21%.

"I actually rang Michael Eberand who stands him at stud and bought another straw last week," Clark said.

"I might be a little biased now but these dogs are fantastic chasers, beautiful kennel dogs and do everything right … the stud game can be pretty tough in such a competitive market but he ticks all the boxes I reckon … great race record and pedigree.

"Hopefully my two pups can help him along the way!"

Latest News Articles