Brandi Alexander Retired, Off To Barcia Bale

Brandi Alexander has been one of the cornerstones of the Tzouvelis kennel over the past three years.

Bred out of another Tzouvelis-trained bitch Miss Lauryn, Brandi Alexander assembled a career anyone would be proud of and although she's run her last race, it's now her turn to produce the next generation as she begins the mating process this week.

"You build your kennel around greyhounds like Brandi, she never won the big one but made eleven group finals, she unlucky not to win one," Tzouvelis said.

"Even towards the end of her career she was still winning Best 8's at Albion Park, it's that consistency that stuck out over her 60 starts and $100,000 in prize money. I think I'm pretty safe in saying she's set to throw a few of similar ability."

Tzouvelis not only trained but partially owns Brandi Alexander and along with his partners have been planning for months what sire they would visit first.

"I own a third of her and along with a couple of other owners we bought a Zambora Brockie straw a couple of months ago because we knew she'd be on season and was getting towards the end," Tzouvelis said.

"After some thought we had a late change of heart and decided to go to Barcia Bale for her first litter who we thought would be ideally suited. It will be Zambora Brockie next time."

Tzouvelis said finding the right sire is a fine art, but either way they went believe they had a great match for Brandi.

"The main difference between Barcia Bale and Zambora Brockie is their commercial appeal; Zambora Brockie is relatively new on the scene," he said.

"In terms of what they throw, Barcia Bale's have the tendency to be a bit more explosive early, you get the odd one like Bago Bye Bye who can stay but the majority are really speed dogs.

"From a smaller sample size Zambora Brockie's have the tendency to be a bit stronger, but it's hard to say with not many racing yet."

Tzouvelis dropped his soon to be dam to the vets this morning where she'll be mated in the next seven days before the real work begins.

"It all happens pretty fast with nine weeks for the bitch to whelp; the first three months are critical keeping the pups healthy and you get a good read on what type of a mother they are," he said.

It's been an interesting couple of months for the Tzouvelis kennel with multiple Group 3 winner Del Rey also set to throw her first litter.

"Del Rey is another one who we've just had mated with Aston Dee Bee," said Tzouvelis.

"We wanted a sire who was a bit outgoing, Del Rey was a bit on the timid side, so I'm hoping their natures can mix well and produce some pups with really nice temperaments.

"We're at that stage where we've invested a lot into a couple of our recently retired bitches who have good bloodlines themselves and you never know but hopefully in eighteen months' time, we're pretty busy with a bunch of talented young ones running around."

Tzouvelis has been in the game long enough to know you need a constant flow of new blood in the kennel and if he doesn't train them himself, gives potential owners a proven line to purchase.

"Ideally I like to have pups coming through every three to six months and the ones we don't race ourselves we sell them off or send them up north to race," he said.

"I always like to keep an eye on our progeny wherever they are, it gives me something to watch and gauge if we're on the right track."