Day To Remember! Coles Create History At Hatrick

"Greyhound history is made – the card for the Coles," called Hatrick commentator Mark Rosanowski when Bigtime Bee easily won the 12th and final race during Friday's Wanganui meeting.

Amazingly the Lisa Cole kennels mentored the entire 12 race card, the first occasion the feat has ever been achieved.

Cole also produced 12 minor place-getters.

Sure, the kennel has the racing numbers – they had 52 runners during the evening however consider this remarkable fact – the Cole family bred, reared, broke in and trained 11 of those winners!

"Really rapt – yes the team went really good. We knew we had the firepower – it was a case of the greyhounds doing everything right. They did," said husband Brendon Cole.

"We have previously trained 12 winners at a meeting, but they were on 15 race cards when we didn't have runners in some of the races we missed.”

Asked how the kennel got through the six-week coronavirus lockdown period without any racing Cole responded with; "The time flew by, especially with around 600 greyhounds to look after (pups, break ins, race dogs, breeding stock and retirees).

"Initially we were worried, particularly with food supplies. We bring in three to four tons of meat and kibble at a time, however our suppliers were brilliant – they didn't miss a beat. We had no issues in that area.

"With no racing we were hemorrhaging dollars every week and the government COVID-19 wage subsidy was a massive help. Our staff were absolutely brilliant and they enjoyed the period having work throughout it. Working gave them all normality to their lives.

"We turned all dogs out for a spell for the first couple of weeks, then progressively brought the race dogs back in, slipping them up our 350m straight track which meant they were ready to go when racing resumed," added Cole.

It is a family-based business headed by Brendon and Lisa. Daughters Georgia and Ella, along with sons Max, Sam and Monty all pitch in.

"Our staff also includes Jess, Hayley, Claire, Ben, Charlotte, Mairead, Violet and Sharon – they are a fantastic team who we couldn't be without."

Bringing up 700 winners for the current season during the meeting was almost overlooked. Bigtime Rod achieved the milestone when he surged to an exciting victory in the main open class 520m event. 

It was a special moment as Brendon advises, "Bigtime Rod is owned by Alan Weatherall who is 90 years of age and totally blind. Alan lives for and loves his greyhounds – nothing can replace that. We also value our loyal owners who have raced greyhounds with us for many years"

Yes, training 700 plus winners in any racing season is an astounding achievement and what's more the kennel is firmly on target to surpass the amazing record breaking 861 winners they conditioned last season.

They were on target to mentor 1000 winners and around $2.5 million in stakes pre Covid-19 lockdown.

"The thousand (wins) was our business plan for the season, however the virus has put an end to that. Also, we are restricted to racing within our region (Hatrick and Manawatu) not because of coronavirus now, but because of the canine gastroenteritis virus.

"The biggest satisfaction of all is us preparing and watching greyhounds we bred and rear develop into competitive greyhounds."

Cole also informs that the avalanche of "Big Time" winners will continue. "We broke in around 100 pups during the shutdown and we will progressively introduce them to the Wednesday meetings. Most of them are flying!”