Ring The Bell, A True Staying Superstar

THE outstanding staying career that was compiled on both sides of the Tasman by the canine endurance athlete Ring The Bell has come to an end.

His Kiwi trainer Ray Adcock stated prior to the June 15 running of the New Zealand Stayers Cup that it would be the last in the greyhounds' stellar 91 race career.

A viral infection prevented Ring The Bell displaying his best in the Group 1 event that he had so strongly won last season.

Ring The Bell was an absolute marvel, a thorough professional in the manner that he went about disposing of his staying rivals.

Disco (kennel name) crossed the Tasman with his Victorian conditioner Gerry O'Keefe in June 2017 as the Australian National Distance title holder to contest New Zealand's premier staying event the $88,000 Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar.

He thrived racing over the demanding Manukau 779m journey, effortlessly winning his heat by a 12.5 length margin, then seven days later he demolished his rivals in the Group 1 final by a commanding 11.75 lengths.

He was then transferred into the mentoring care of the NZ Hall of Fame trainer Ray Adcock who guided him to his Addington NZ Stayers Cup (732m) victory.
Shortly after that Ring The Bell shattered the long standing Forbury Park 770m track record when he ripped through that assignment in an astounding 47.70.

It was track record time again for Disco when he headed up to the Manawatu Raceway to contest the heats for the Nancy Cobain Memorial. He cut out his 660m heat in 38.45 and he returned to stylishly win the Group 2 final (39.02).

Those efforts earned him an invitation to contest the Sky Racing Topgun Stayers at The Meadows last October where he delivered a creditable third in the 720m feature.

Injury then intervened and it wasn't until April when Adcock presented Ring The Bell back to his potent best when he tore apart an Ascot Park 630m field.
He had a miss in the Group 1 Wanganui Distance after having won his 755m heat and from there the focus was firmly set on the defence of Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar title.

Ring The Bell became the only stayer to win back-to-back Silver Collars where again he displayed his immense strength when after being clearly headed in the mid stages, he powerfully came back to deliver what was an epic 46.50 victory.

"Stayers are born and not made and he had the genetics to be a true stayer to achieve what he did over such a long period of time – he was an iron dog," advised Adcock, who added.

"The time has come, as just like his trainer (83 years), he's an old buggar who hasn't any thing left to prove whatsoever.

"We'll miss him around the kennels as he was real gentleman to handle."
Ring The Bell was raced by the Four Frothy's syndicate headed by O'Keefe's son in law Glen Pask, who made the trip across the Tasman to savour both of Ring The Bell's Silver Collar victories.

"Disco was a totally professional greyhound throughout his career – he would chase all day.

"It was truly amazing in the way he could keep on contesting staying races. His quick recovery rate was exceptional. He was a great, great dog with a brilliant temperament.

"I also have to acknowledge Gerry for setting Disco on his career pathway and then Ray for maintaining his career in New Zealand. I was really taken with the way New Zealanders fully supported and followed Disco.

"It has been a remarkable journey for all of us," confirmed Pask.
Ring The Bell enters his thoroughly deserved retirement as the winner of 37 races and an increditable 31 of those wins came in staying events. He added a further 27 minor placings and he concludes his racing career having won $449,621 in stake earnings from his 91 race day outings (72 staying races).

Even as he heads into retirement Disco is guaranteed one more Kiwi big ticket victory. On October 13 Ring The Bell will be named as the 2017/18 New Zealand Stayer of the Year award winner. The presentation will be made as part of the New Zealand Greyhound of the Year awards evening in Hamilton on October 13.

It is entirely appropriate that Disco will be recognised during this function as the key note speaker for the evening will be Robbie Britton who off course has made winning Australian Group race staying events his own personal domain for quite a while.