Bewildering Pup To Answer Great Chase Calling

TRAINER Lyn Smith has declared her exciting prospect Earn The Answers will be targeted towards The Great Chase series which begins in early October. 

The son of Bewildering has created quite an impression to begin his career with two blazing Warrnambool wins, including a sublime 25.27 romp over the 450 metres on September 10.

"I've pre-trained a lot of dogs but he'd be the quickest of anything at that same stage – he's pretty exciting," Smith said.

"Dustin Drew broke the litter in and before Earn The Answers was due to have his last trial he rang me and said to come pick him up.

"He was going that fast Dustin was worried he'd hurt himself if he went around again when he didn't need to."

Just 20 months of age, Earn The Answers oozes raw ability, as evidenced with his first trial at The Meadows on Monday.

"If he gets through to The Meadows stage of The Great Chase he'll need experience at the track so I wanted to get him there early," Smith said.

"I gave him a box-to-box and he went 17.78 up the back which I was delighted with – I'm usually happy if they go around 18.00 their first go.

"It was the first time he's been on a two-turn track in his life and probably only his tenth run behind the lure since break-in.

"At his first 440m trial at Sale he went 24.76. He's never not trialled fast, he's just a lovely dog."

The Great Chase concept continues to be a real success story for Victorian greyhound racing, raising significant money for charity while also providing plenty of excitement on the track.

The race boasts many top-line winners on its honour roll, including Simon Told Helen which took out the race last year in thrilling fashion over his brother Who Told Stevie.

"And Earn The Answers has a roman nose just like Simon Told Helen," Smith added.

"Maybe that's telling me something for the race – who knows?

"But you definitely wouldn't pick Earn The Answers out on looks. He's 30 kilos and a bit slantily-eyed. But he can run and that's the main thing."

Monday proved quite a day for Smith.

Not only did Earn The Answers exceed her expectations in his trial at The Meadows, she also scooped the first two races at Warragul.

"Earn The Blur is a sister to Earn The Answers – she won in 23.55 but can go a lot quicker than that," Smith said.

Smith's opening winner was the regally bred Strive, the son of Kc And All and Captivating scoring on debut in 23.26.

"Strive is owned by Bill and Serge Buccilli who own Bewildering and that's one of the reasons we went to him with Sharka Nova," Smith said.

"Sharka Nova has cancer now so this litter to Bewildering is her last.

"There's eight of them and one that hasn't raced yet is showing a lot of ability as well … at break-in was almost on par with Earn The Answers."

To say Smith is closely attached to Earn The Answers and his siblings would be an understatement, already rejecting a hefty offer for the promising type.

"He's not for sale," Smith said.

"The pups were whelped in the house and lived inside for the six weeks and destroyed everything in sight. And as they got older I was forever yelling at Earn The Answers – he's given his brothers and sisters a few cuts and a bruises along the way.

"But he's a beautiful dog now and is very exciting. I'd say I'll go to the Warragul Great Chase heats with him and go from there."