Meticulous Lodge Mourn Their Most Prized Portrait

Heartache surged through this week with the tragic passing of their winning race bitch and prolific producer Dance Portrait. The stunning black bitch has left her mark on the breeding industry as the dam of multiple group one winner amongst a collection of quality chasers.

Dance Portrait was bred by and was born on the 2nd April 2001. The daughter of and Lovely Portrait was one in a litter of six that included Disasterous, Golden Portrait, Miss Amberbee, Miss Bindilee and Samson. Dance Portrait or Mischief as she was affectionately known was purchased by respected owner, trainer and breeder Paul Westerveld and was trained throughout her racing career by leading Western Australian mentor Linda Britton.

“I brought her as a pup with a friend and she showed potential. We sent her over to be trained by Linda Britton and Linda did an unbelievable job with her”, Westerveld said

Dance Portrait was an exceptional bitch on the racetrack facing the starter on twenty seven occasions from which she managed to triumph on thirteen occasions with three seconds and two thirds and $82,585 in prizemoney. Despite only being lightly raced, Dance Portrait was able to experience the glitz and glam of group race glory on two occasions both in the 2003 group one Laurels at Sandown Park where she defeated the sensational brood bitch Leprachaun Yap and the 2003 group two at Cannington.

Astoundingly, unlike many top race bitches, Dance Portrait was able to produce excellent results in the breeding barn highlighted by her fantastic son Meticulous.

Meticulous was from Dance Portrait's first litter to champion sire Brett Lee and had thirty six starts for sixteen wins and eleven minors with his standout wins being in the 2007 group one , 2007 group one Silver Chief and the 2007 group two whilst he came third in the 2007 group one Winter Cup and made the finals of the 2007 group one Paws of Thunder and the 2007 group two Temlee.

Since retiring to stud Meticulous has proven to be a sire of some nice greyhounds himself and in fact this Friday night, his son Yoda Bale will be hoping to emulate his father's victory in the group two Traralgon Cup when he lines up from box one in the $42,000 to the winner final. Trained by Andrea Dailly, the Wheeler owned greyhound will start at long odds however it is not unlike the conquering partnership to land a feature winner at a big price.

In all, Dance Portrait had four litters; a 2004 litter to Brett Lee, a 2005 litter to , a 2006 litter to Black Shiraz and a 2008 litter to Path To Power. Whilst none of her other pups reached the top level of Meticulous, they showed plenty of talent on the track in their own rights. Most prominent were Candy Can (xBlack Shiraz) 34:12-7-3, Tiesto (x Brett Lee) 47: 17-6-10, Fashion Model (x Token Prince) 15: 3-3-3 and Real Fire Power (x Path to Power) 46:8-4-6

It is also notable that Dance Portrait's daughters are now starting to throw on some speedy chasers themselves. The unraced Dance Token has produced multiple group finalists from her first litter to Bond alone including , Licence to Dance, and Tread Lightly

Since her final litter, Dance Portrait had lived the life of luxury at Westerveld's property joining former producers Witch Magic, Magic Trance and Runway Model as much loved family pets, with Westerveld enforcing the impact she had.

“She gave us a big thrill on the racetrack and in the breeding barn but not only was she a great race dog and producer but she was also a real character”.

“She was actually called Mischief by the lady that bred her because she was always into trouble. She used to carry all her bowls around and knock her water bowl off the fence”.

Her sudden passing this week will leave an absence in the hearts of many, with both her efforts on the racetrack and achievements as a dam hard to top yet as a companion to the Westerveld family she will be irreplaceable.

“She was one of the best pets and like a part of the furniture around here. I know greyhounds have kind temperaments but she was just beautiful and really stood out as her own special character”, Westerveld recalled.

There is no doubt the 29 kilogram black bitch had an immense impact on Westerveld's involvement within the industry, and with her daughters turning into handy little broodbitches and her super son Meticulous still standing at stud it is certain that her legacy will live on for many years to come.

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are. – Anonymous

Rest In Peace – Mischief

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