Kev Caught By Surprise

VETERAN dog man Kev Galloway was caught by surprise at Albion Park last Thursday night, but it was a pleasant surprise and a winning one.

Galloway landed a 520m Novice with Galway Johann (Magic Sprite-Skie's Size) a minute 26.8kg male but with plenty of ability.

He finished on well to beat Steak Sandwich and Regal Jade to win in 30.48. It was his second win in just three race starts.

But the reason for Kev's surprise was the fact that Galway Johann had trialled well at Ipswich the previous Monday and he thought that effort could flatten his dog for Thursday night's race.

“I have found the Magic Sprite progeny don't like to back up within four days,” he said.

“This dog slipped post to post at Ipswich the Monday before and went well. I had planned to run him in a heat of the Young Guns on the Saturday night.”

But Kev had a re-think about that and decided he would dodge the better class of opposition and head for a Novice at Albion Park last Thursday night.

“I thought the quick back-up to Albion Park three days later might have impacted on him,” said Kev. “But it was a surprise he went so well.

“The time was not great (30.48) but he is much better than that.”

Immediate plans for Galway Johann are to contest a fifth grade on a Thursday night at Albion Park and then Kev will aim him for fifth grade heats and finals series coming up in a bid to “beat the grader”.

Galloway got the beautifully bred Ski's Size (Surf Lorian-Size Em Up) in a deal with breeder Julie Edmondson.

“The bitch was in pup to Black Enforcer and I swapped her for a couple of pups I had bred,” said Kev. “The litter turned out pretty good too.”

The Magic Sprite-Ski's Size litter contained five dogs and three bitches and the dogs all show plenty of ability.

“We've got plenty in work here, between my son Sean and I,” said Kev.

He turned 80 years old in December and has been in greyhound racing for much of his life.