Hazelgrove Has The Tiger By The Tail

“TIGER will lead and Ugo should be sitting right on his tail,” is how trainer Brett Hazelgrove summed up this week's Queensland state final of the National Sprint (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Hazelgrove landed both heats of the state series at Albion Park last Thursday night with the Milldean Panther-Whirly Storm litter brothers.

All About Tiger ran 30.09 to win by a neck over fast finishing Maurice Minor with a similar margin to Bubble Guppy. He was a $9.60 chance.

In the next heat, Call Me Ugo also led throughout to win in 29.85 by two and a quarter lengths over Gelantipy Gold with three lengths to Magic Hornet in third.

“We took on some pretty good dogs in the heats,” said Brett. “But, their early speed helped them to wins.”

All About Tiger is quickest to the first turn than his brother, but Call Me Ugo is the stronger says Brett.

“There is not much between the two dogs but I expect Tiger to lead,” he said. “In fact, most of the opposition in this week's state final are lacking in early pace, but are very strong.

“Dogs like Maurice Minor and Big Bad Bob can really come home hard.”

Brett Hazelgrove is giving greyhound training a “solid go” late in life.

“If I didn't take up the reins, mum (Noela who owns both dogs) would probably be out of the industry,” he said.

Brett has seven in work but also is rearing two litters by Fernando Bale and SH Avatar that are out of daughters of Whirly Storm.

Their Crestmead property, on the outskirts of Brisbane, has been a hugely successful greyhound property for many decades. But developers are creeping in all the time.

“We have actually signed a contract to sell and eventually we will be on the lookout for a new property,” said Brett.
“But that is probably not for 12 months. We will deal with that when the time comes.”

Hazelgrove says the litter brothers All About Tiger and Call Me Ugo are “serious race dogs”.

“Standing there before a race you would not think they would chase,” he said. “The lure goes past and they wag their tails. But take the collar and lead off and it all changes.”