Inspire Us Bows Out A Winner At Start 101

INSPIRE US, a 23 kilo giant of greyhound racing, may have run her last race when at the age of 4 1/2 and at her 101st start, won a 3rd/4th grade (520m) at Ipswich on Thursday night.

The daughter of Moreira and Someday Lady ran 30.76 to down Sleuth by almost five lengths for her 23rd victory for owner-trainer Col Graham.

From 101 starts, she has won 23 and been placed 26 times for stakes of $68,000.

“She and her litter sister, Distant Star, have been an absolutely fabulous buy for me,” said Col.

“I paid $5000 each them from Michael Lewis in Victoria after they had each won a race down there.”

Distant Star came on season on Wednesday and Col had to scratch her from Ipswich on Thursday night. She too is now retired after 70 starts for 17 wins and 13 placings for $40,000.

“Distant Star has already got a five pup litter, four dogs and a bitch, now six months old by Hooked On Scotch,” said Col. “And, aren't they nice pups.”

The fact Inspire Us is now in third grade on city tracks may have forced Col's hand in regards to her future.

“She is only 23 kilos and she will struggle against those top grade dogs on a city track,” he said.

“I'd like to give her a few months off and let her down before she comes on season.

“I've already bought a straw for Flying Ricciardo to use on her.”

Graham is in raptures about both bitches.

“The size of them,” he said.

“Inspire Us is 23 kilos, and Distant Star just 26 kilos. But they are absolute fantastic chasers. Neither of them has the slightest fear in them.

“Inspire Us has fallen in a couple of races, and then got up and won at her next start. And I cannot believe how sound both of them have been all through their race careers. It's unbelievable.

“We've had a lot of fun with each of them.”

Michael Lewis bred the litter and raced the Group star Waging War.

He was second in the Group 1 Sale Cup and a finalist in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel, and a finalist in two other Group races, winning 13 and earning $113,000.

“Michael wanted to buy a Hooked On Scotch-Distant Star pup from me, but because she had only five, I decided to keep them all,” said Col.

“I'll sell him a Flying Ricciardo-Inspire Us if she has enough.

“I expect her to come on season within the next couple of months.”