Shoulders Stands Tall
Hunter Valley breeders Brett and Deborah May have unleashed another potential superstar on the racing circuit, with Shoulders ultra-impressive once again at Wentworth Park on Friday night. The son of May's own breed of Cosmic Rumble and Bit Stressed, recorded his straight third win and kept a perfect career record in tact, saluting by eight and three quarter lengths in a sizzling time of 29.73.
Shoulders stepped out on debut for Londonderry trainer Anthony Azzopardi at Dapto two weeks ago and flew around the 520m, clocking 29.77. May couldn't believe what he was about to witness the following week as his 33kg chaser clocked a near record 29.49, at just his second career start at Dapto.
“Deb and I sat at home and watched it and I couldn't believe what I saw. Deb was in tears after the race and I jumped on the internet to see what the record was and he was only 0.05 away from breaking it.” said Brett May.
“The whole litter are very keen and Shoulders has been a natural from day one.”
It hasn't all been smooth sailing for the 21-month old youngster, with May seriously doubting whether his prodigy would even make it to the race track.
“He broke his shoulder pretty bad during education and he was on three legs for about six weeks. We had to put a lot of hard work into rehabilitating him and it got to a point where he couldn't even stand up. Deb would have to carry him in and out of his yard.”
“That's where he got his name from, I used to always call him shoulders.”
“I'm very excited at what his done so far and couldn't be happier with how he's going.”
“Anthony (Azzopardi) is a great trainer and friend. He took some dogs for us when we got a bit snowed under a few years ago and my plan from then was to get a fast dog to reward him for all he's done for us.”
Shoulders next assignment will be the Group Three New Sensation heats this Friday night at Wentworth Park, with the final to be run on Easter Egg night and connections collecting $25,000 for their efforts.
Shoulders dam Bit Stressed is starting to emulate the breeding success of her sister Daydream, by producing some very talented offspring. Freddo Pedro came from her first litter to Where's Pedro in 2010, recording solid personal bests at Bulli (400m, 22.64) and Wentworth Park (280m, 16.18). Michelle My Bell, trained by May, is by Pure Octane and has a flying personal best of 29.67 over the 515m at The Gardens.
“Unfortunately Bit Stressed can't have anymore litters, but we are going to breed with her daughters Michelle My Bell and Sister Mertens.”
“Bit Stressed was a super race bitch and produced her best towards the end of her career. She fell in the final of the 2010 Black Top at The Gardens and we decided to retire her and Daydream as well while they were both young.”
Bit Stressed notched up eleven wins from thirty-three career starts, clocking flying times at The Gardens (515m, 29.63) and Richmond (535m, 30.52). The daughter of Bit Chili and Stresa made two group finals; the Group Two Black Top and Group One National Futurity, won by her sister Daydream.
Daydream has established herself as a proven producer over the past few years, with her most successful offspring including Dark Assassin, winner of 2012 Group Three Dapto maiden final, Brock The Rock (Richmond 535m, 30.64), Kobi Jay (The Gardens 515m, 29.47) and Mr. Beau (Wentworth Park 520m, 29.81). Daydream's second litter to Where's Pedro produced Fusaichi Kahn (Brisbane 520m 29.88), My Boy Snoop (The Gardens 515m 29.56) and Sir Redmond (The Gardens 515m, 29.37.)
Daydreams third litter of eleven to Brett Lee will be sent to the breakers in the coming weeks and her most recent litter to Magic Sprite, are guaranteed to attract plenty of interest from greyhound enthusiasts.
Good on you. A lot of people would have gaped him. Nice to see nice people do well. Hope he keeps going all the way.
great to see . Congratulations. Hope he goes all the way to the top.
Good on you. A lot of people would have gaped him. Nice to see nice people do well. Hope he keeps going all the way.
great to see . Congratulations. Hope he goes all the way to the top.