Shima Breeze Back For Bathurst Gold

WE speak to co-owner Tim Aloisi about Shima Breeze's remarkable return to racing in the lead up to Friday night's Group 3 Bathurst Gold Cup Final.

IF Shima Breeze wins Friday night's Group 3 Bathurst Gold Cup it will mean a hell of a lot more to her owners Tim Aloisi and Matt Lehman than the trophy, sash or $25,000 first prize that comes with it.

"It would be a fairy tale – I tell people she's our special little gem," declared a proud Tim Aloisi on Thursday.

See, for Shima Breeze, a regally bred daughter of Fernando Bale and Shimaguni, her path to Friday night's group 3 blockbuster in the central west of NSW has been anything but conventional.

"We bought her off Dave Gleeson after she'd had five or six starts," recalled South Australian based Aloisi.

"Matt and I were really keen to get into the Shimaguni line so we made an offer with the idea that anything she did on the track would be a bonus – but we mainly bought her to breed with."

In 2018, Shima Breeze enjoyed a breakout season of racing, winning the Strathalbyn Cup while also finishing runner-up in the Group 3 SA Oaks and Gawler Cup.

For good measure, the blue blood also finished third in Group 2 Laurels at Sandown when in the care of South Australian trainer Tony Rasmussan.

But after enjoying a terrific run, things took a turn for the worse after finishing down the track in last year's Group 1 Australian Cup – Aloisi and Lehman electing to send Shima Breeze and another two dogs to Victorian trainer David Geall to further their careers.

"Dave has an outstanding record with bitches so it was a good fit," Aloisi explained.

“Unfortunately Shima Breeze arrived to Dave Geall very ill and not well – further tests revealed she had severe kidney damage. The vets said the likelihood of her ever racing again were slim – at best."

Resigned to the fact Shima Breeze's racing days were over, 32-year old Aloisi set about returning the daughter of Fernando Bale to the best health possible with the view to breeding.

"Dave and Rose (Geall) nursed her back to health for a good three months and we can't thank them enough for what they did," Aloisi said.

"After that we sent her to Rob (Camilleri) to continue her recovery for when she came on season.

"As unexpected as it was, eight or so months on she got the okay from the vets to have one last go at racing. Rob began working her but we agreed we'd pull the pin if she showed any signs of not being right."

Despite enduring significant setbacks, Shima Breeze has made a stunning return to the track in recent weeks, arguably in better form than before her long illness-enforced lay-off.

Resuming with a luckless Bendigo run just after Christmas, the August 2016 whelp has had six subsequent starts for four wins and two seconds, the most recent of those Monday's sizzling Bathurst Cup heat victory.

"You probably see why she's our favourite now," beamed Aloisi.

"To come back like she has after everything she's been through is almost unbelievable. The night she won at Angle Park last month was very special for Matt and I because we could be there to give her a hug and a pat after the race – we just love her."

Shima Breeze's stylish 29.85 Bathurst Cup heat win on Monday was the 19th victory of her 39 start career.

Her 4.15 first section has been declared as a record by locals and if she repeats that trademark early dash on Friday night, Aloisi is confident their pride and joy can claim the group 3 feature.

But win, lose or draw, it will do absolutely nothing to change his view on his Australian Cup bound chaser.

"It wouldn't worry me if she retired tomorrow," he added.

"But it would be special if she was to win on Friday. I don't mind her drawn wide – but it's a very good race, you've Good Odds Harada and Rob's other dog Slingshot Hammer there … he's been a great dog.

"If we do happen to win it will be a team effort and reward for all the work Dave and Rose (Geall) and Rob (Camilleri) and Deb (Coleman) have put into her comeback to racing.

"The minute she comes on season she'll be retired and will be going to Barcia Bale."

With 20 race dogs and another 25 pups on their bulging books, Aloisi and Lehman are loving every minute of their growing involvement in greyhound racing.

"We love it – and reinvest everything we make back into the sport," Aloisi said.

"In 2018 we had 150 winners, 2019 174 winners and so far in 2020 we've had 32 – it's been an unreal start to the year.

"Our team doesn't seem to get the same level of publicity as others but that's fine with us; we're happy to just go about our business quietly and enjoy watching our dogs race. And if we get some results, even better."

In recent years, Aloisi and Lehman's formidable owning partnership has expanded considerably. And with that has come an increased focus on their re-homing strategies for their retired racers.

"We have a rule that we re-home all our own dogs … mainly to family and friends," Aloisi said.

"We've re-homed around 30 now and I'm very picky with where they go. I have to know they are going to a great home before I let them go. They all deserve their forever home."

After Shima Breeze lines up in Friday night's Bathurst Cup decider, Aloisi's attention shifts to Launceston this Monday night where Awesome Catch and Immediate take their place in heats of the Group 2 Launceston Cup.

Then next Saturday, Sandown Cup winner Rajasthan, engaged at Bathurst this Friday night, rugs up in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel at The Meadows under the tutelage of Camilleri.

"I can't say enough for the job Rob and Deb is doing for us," he said.

"They are great trainers but even better people and for Matt and I that's more important than anything.

"We have a rule that we don't let the dogs come between people and it's something that's been tested a few times. We think it's good karma and hopefully that pays off in the long run."

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