Hardman's Wenty ‘Kash'

FRANK Hardman, a leading trainer of the 1970s and 80s, has long handed the training reins over to son Michael, but he had a hand in Nangar Kash's second Wentworth Park win, posted yesterday week.

Hardman, who trained the Dave Alexander Memorial winner Crazy Paving and more recently won 25 races between 2002 and 2005 with Enlighten Us, has not been enjoying the best of health but continues to take a keen interest in son Michael's greyhounds.

Nangar Kash, raced by Ray Tanti, a long-time client of the Hardman family, along with Adrian Carrozza, scored his fourth win in nine starts, taking out a 520m fifth grade in a tidy 30.24sec.

It was an especially “tough” win as Nangar Kash and the in-form Jodie Lagogiane-trained Blitzing Lass had a head-and-head duel for the lead from the first turn to the home bend.

Nangar Kash eventually seemed to “worry” Blitzing Lass out of the race, drawing clear near the finish to win by a length.

The dog's trainer, Michael Hardman, headed to Wentworth Park in early March in a bid to purchase a juvenile from a group of youngsters crack western districts breeder Dennis Barnes had entered for the group 3 Magic Maiden.

“I got to Wenty with a pocketful of money and while Dennis wasn't really anxious to sell any of his youngsters, he finally agreed to offer three of them for sale.

“Dad was already a big fan of the white and black dog called Nangar Kash, and when I got home after the Maiden heats he asked if I had come home with a greyhound.

“When I told him I did he said ‘I hope you brought home that white dog, he is the one I like' and his judgment was spot on.

“The boys paid $20,000 for Nangar Kash but he has now won twice in town and is only 26 months old.

“When I first started training him and taking him to the races Nangar Kash was an absolute nightmare.

“He demolished three lots of bedding in the kennels before having his first two starts for me and would rip his water bowl off the wall.

“Originally he wasn't beginning too well so I have started taking him to Appin to trial him up the straight where they start behind the drag lure.

“That tactic seems to have improved Nangar Kash's box manners on the circle and his form is getting better too.

“Before he won at Richmond on June 29, I trialled him at Appin and Ronnie Oldfield, who drives the lure there, called out to me that Nangar Kash had been impressive.

“Ronnie doesn't say much so for him to give the dog a wrap was really encouraging and sure enough, Nangar Kash has won both his subsequent races.

“I don't think I can race the dog too often because he is such a ferocious chaser, he gives 110 per cent every time he starts so needs to have his runs spaced.”

Buoyed by Nangar Kash's success, his owners have since purchased Nangar Jill, who won the Magic Maiden final for Dennis Barnes.|

She is also now in the Michael Hardman kennels.