Hector Fawley Flying Blind Ahead Of Carnival Chase

EXCITING Victorian Hector Fawley will not have the benefit of a look at the Albion Park track before he runs in the heats of the Group 3 Carnival Chase (600m) on Thursday night.

But part-owner and trainer Lisa Cockerell does not believe that is a worry to the dog's chances.

“He went to Adelaide for the Derby series at Angle Park and won without a look at the track,” said Lisa of the son of Bernardo and Rolanda Hooch.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Hector Fawley comes into Thursday night's series off a 33.87 win in last Friday night's Group 3 Sandown Showdown (595m).

Hec of a win!

HECTOR FAWLEY was too strong for PUNTER'S BANDIT in the Group 3 Racecallers Showdown at @sandowndogs on #SandownCup Night.

He made it four wins from as many starts out of the red alley.#GreyhoundRacing #PremierRacing pic.twitter.com/r7o1CqT41h

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) May 26, 2023

He is earning a huge reputation as a 600m performer having won at Sandown in 33.64, just outside the track record of 33.56.

Lisa's husband Ian flew to Brisbane with Hector Fawley on Wednesday and will stay with family friends but already has a flight booked back to Melbourne on Friday.

Lisa admitted Hector Fawley went into the Showdown “a little underdone”.

“He ran second in his 715 metre debut at Sandown (on May 4) and pulled up a bit rough,” she said.

“So he was a little underdone for the two 600 metre runs at Sandown since then.

“He is as good a dog as we have had.”

Hector Fawley is named after a minister for magic in the Harry Potter series of books and continues that theme with names for all the Cockerell dogs.

He traces back to Martha Spinco (Zed Three-Zaire) which was the first greyhound Lisa owned.

“We bought her to breed a litter by Token Prince and got eight dogs and one bitch,” she said.

The bitch was named Finlandia and she was twice a finalist in the Sapphire Crown. She is the second mother of Hector Fawley.

“When Ian broke him in, he said we had to have a special name for him because he is very good,” said Lisa. “So, he had to be a minister for magic.”

Hector Fawley has drawn box three in the fourth heat of the Carnival Chase.

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KAT Ernst may leave Sandstorm Rico (Fernando Bale-Bella Rico) in Queensland with Tony Brett if he performs as well as expected in the first heat of the Carnival Chase (600m).

Kat, whose partner Joe McFayden trains the dog, is staying with Brett in Queensland while Sandstorm Rico contests the series and she will take the opportunity to trial kennelmates Ultimate Coat and Belmont Bullet at Albion Park for future engagements.

“We will see how he goes in the heats and he may stay with Tony for a while,” said Kat.

Sandstorm Rico has only just stepped up to 600m racing winning twice at Gosford in slick time.

“And, he is drawn to suit on Thursday night in the three box,” said Kat.

“It gives him a chance to get out and lead.”

Sandstorm Rico had a stint in Queensland late last year and early this year when trained by Brent Kline before joining Joe and Kat's kennel.

“He is a pretty handy dog and hasn't put a foot wrong since we got him,” said Kat.

“We knew the heats this week would be stacked with good dogs but it was an easier drive to Queensland when I knew he had box three.”

Sandstorm Rico is a half brother to Melbourne Cup winner Hard Style Rico and comes from a fabulous litter of seven all of them winners and most showing great quality.

He has drawn a tough field with G1 star Zipping Orlando the standout but also includes stars like Wheel And Go, Hara's River and Velor Bale.