The Greyhound Everyone Wants
Every owner and trainer looks to find one just like it. With just eight career starts Rima has won six of them and finished third in the other two, and that‟s just the tip of the iceberg.
In addition to his exceptional win record Rima now has three track records to his name, after breaking the 450 metre Bathurst record on Monday (June 20).
Stopping the clock at 25.60, Rima's effort on Monday shaved just one hundredth off previous record holder, Everywhere Man's August 2009 run.
Trainers Jack and Lorraine Roy along with locals were most impressed by the son of Collision x Special Osti's 15.26 sectional in the record breaking run.
A long time attendee and follower of Bathurst, Jack can't recall the last time he saw a sub 15.30 sectional.
“I have been lucky to have some great dogs, Yarran has gone 15.30 to the back at Bathurst, but Rima was more impressive on Monday, he‟ll be a handy dog,” Roy said.
Purchased from successful breeder Ted Doss, the son of Collision started his race career back in April at the Dubbo carnival before breaking the 440 metre track record at Canberra on May 22 and Cowra 453 metre record on June 4.
“His run at Canberra he broke Original Sin's long standing (2001) 25.03 record, and Beer Assassin (trained by Mark Gatt) broke the 600 record in the same night,” Roy said.
“We have always known Rima is capable but to go 24.94, nearly a tenth better than Original Sin was big.”
The astute trainer made the decision following the Canberra run to hold the greyhound up for the annual John McDonald Memorial at Cowra over 453 metres.
“He had the pink in the heat, and just came out sensational, his owner “Harvey” (Michael Hugo) was over the moon when he broke the 26 seconds (25.98).
“Last year's heats saw the record broken by Dana Mary (26.01) and she has gone on with it so it is a good yard stick.”
Renowned trainers, the Wallendbeen (outside of Cootamundra) based team have had success in recent years with Humdrum, Monster Jack, Yarran and now Rima is set to bring even more.
“I am still not convinced he will run a strong 500, but he is still only 20 months and he has the early pace to lead races, as they say you have to catch leaders.”
Roy knows the young greyhound's early pace will keep him competitive as he progresses.
“The only down side is that I keep getting served short odds!” Roy joked after his kennel star only paid $1.30 on the NSW TAB after the Bathurst win.
“But when they are winning then they are bringing in the money, so I guess you can't really complain.”
Roy is still undecided of where to next with Rima, however he knows that further ground has to be tested.
“His hardest test is still to come. I have him nominated for the Nowra Puppy Classic and he is eligible for the Centrebet Vic Peters Classic so it would be nice to get there, but we will have to wait and see,” Roy said.
“We have been lucky, there aren't many dogs that have recorded six wins from only eight starts, plus three track records within a month.”
While Jack and Lorraine decide what to do next with their young star, the rest will just have to keep searching to find their Rima.