Near Record: Easter Egg Looms For All Hands Off

OVER the past month Fred Swain’s hugely talented All Hands Off has established herself as the best greyhound going around at Albion Park.

David Brasch11 March 2021

NORTHERN Rivers sensation All Hands Off became the third fastest female ever at Albion Park when she won there on Thursday night in 29.49, booking herself a Golden Easter Egg berth.

Breeder, owner and trainer Fred Swain declared next week's Easter Egg heats on the agenda after the daughter of Barcia Bale-Fay's Magic won by an ever increasing 11 and three-quarter lengths in a FFA on Thursday night.

She downed Not Out Cloud and Speranza, charging to the front through a first section of 5.52 and then came home in a powerful 12.50.

It was her 19th win in just 28 starts.

The time of 29.49 is the eighth fastest ever, she is the sixth fastest greyhound and the third fastest bitch.

Those ahead of her read like a “who's who” of super class greyhounds:

Sennachie 29.38
Sennachie 29.39
Sennachie 29.41
Mepunga Blazer 29.41
Black Opium 29.44
Oh Mickey 29.45
Sequana 29.48

Swain said such a performance has virtually ensured the bitch be given her Egg chance but he has some reservations about the bitch being suited at Wentworth Park.

“I'm not convinced Wenty is her track, and she is not a good traveller,” he said.

“The last time I took her to Wenty, we stayed overnight in a motel and she did not settle at all. She knew she was going racing and thought she should do it straight away.”

Swain said he had spoken to leading trainer Tony Brett about his problem.

“Tony suggested the best way to overcome her travel worries would be to just drive straight to Wentworth Park on the day of the heats,” said Fred.

“That's what I will do.”

Swain, 69, has been on the Northern Rivers for the past six years having settled there after a lifetime in Townsville where he was long one of the city's leading trainers.

He said a bitch like All Hands Off, and especially after her 29.49 win, was a huge thrill.

“I knew she could run a time like 29.49 just going on what she can slip post to post at Lismore,” he said.

Dam Fay's Magic has an 11 month old litter by Raw Ability and will go to Pindari Express for her next mating.