Sherwood's Rippin' Training Return

COLE Sherwood has been out of greyhound racing since 2014 but enjoyed the best possible return on Saturday night with Running Express scoring at Ipswich.

COLE Sherwood has been out of greyhound racing since 2014 and never really wanted to get back into the daily grind of training.

That was until he came up against the influence of his Queensland Rail mates Dave Sturgess and David Jones.

The “two Daves” had been swayed by Cole into buying into a then six-month-old black dog pup by Rippin' Sam-Allonsy Bree.

They bought him for $1800 from John Jaynes at Port Macquarie way.

“The price was right, and I figured he would be right for the Vince Curry Maiden series early in 2021,” said Cole.

“The two Daves came into him and when it came time to find a trainer, they were insistent that I train the dog. Initially I was reluctant, but they stood firm.”

This Saturday night at Ipswich, that black pup, now racing as Running Express, goes into the semi-finals of the time-honoured Vince Curry Maiden series off a first-up 30.69 victory.

And, the fact Running Express is just 16 months old is not lost on anyone who saw him storm home to win his heat last Saturday night.

Cole has not been in greyhound racing since 2014 but his initial stint as a trainer saw him produce Lucky Alive, runner-up in the G1 National Derby and a finalist in the G1 Easter Egg and G2 Richmond Derby.

“I saw these pups advertised and the price was right,” said Cole.

“Their mother could run but broke down and she is a litter sister to Allonsy Grace which was third in the G1 Vic Peters.

“John had four dog pups for sale, three blue and one black. He did not want to sell the black one because his wife wanted to keep him. I didn't want a blue one.

“John rang me back an hour later and said I could buy the black dog.”

John Judd reared the pup for the next three months but Cole and his devoted family brought him home at nine months and started doing those little things trainers with only one dog in the kennel can do.

Getting back into greyhound racing for Cole meant he had to “jump through a few hoops” to get licensed in time to have Running Express ready for the Vince Curry.

“And, because he had just turned 16 months old, his nomination for the series was only just accepted,” he said.

Cole says the pup has improved with every experience. “But, it did take a long time to gain his confidence.”

Much of the success in gaining that confidence came from the Sherwood family's pet cattle dog Ringo who is the best of mates with Running Express.

Promising early trials at Ipswich saw Cole and “the two Daves” land a massive betting plunge on Running Express.

“Everyone was so thrilled,” said Cole. “Not only because of the money everyone won, but because it was a great way to get back into greyhound racing.”

Cole's dad, the late “Big Al” Sherwood was a famous face around greyhound racing during the Gabba days.

He died in 1990 but left greyhound racing a legacy within the family.

Cole's mum Faye was at Ipswich cheering on Running Express last Saturday night.

When Running Express started to trial so well in the lead-up to the Vince Curry heats, the syndicate was sworn to secrecy.

“But, it shows you how easy it is to get out,” laughed Cole.

“Someone came to me at QR a few days before the race and said he had a huge tip for the dog. He is the nephew of the uncle of the guy who trains the dog … me!”

Cole knows only too well Running Express is a baby and is a certain improver with age.

“He's improved with every run now, so what is he going to do in the next six months or more,” he said.

“The two Daves” will not be able to contain themselves.

 

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