Unison Sends New Owners Into A Frenzy

WHEN At The Track Racing chief Adam Powell was offered the chance to buy multiple city winner Unison in late October he almost jumped through the phone such was his enthusiasm.

And Powell's leap of faith on behalf of 50 syndicate members, 40 of which are first time greyhound owners, paid instant dividends after the Michelle Sultana-trained son of Sh Avatar returned to racing with a dazzling 22.36 400 metre victory at Maitland on Monday night.

"There's a big group of happy owners and the best part is a large chunk of them are totally new to greyhound ownership," said Powell.

"To win first up is a massive thrill and full credit to Michelle. When the chance came up to buy him it didn't take long for us to say yes and right the way along I've just said to Michelle not to rush and take all the time she needs.

"We couldn't have asked for a better start than that – especially the way he finished off – his run home time was very good."

Unison now charges into Sunday's heats of the Gosford Gold Cup (515m) as the winner at 13 of his 25 appearances, with Powell salivating at the prospect of a group 2 berth with their new found charge.

"It would be unreal for the owners to just make a big race final like that, let alone anything else," Powell said.

"There were a couple of his new owners there tonight at Maitland which was great but I expect there will be a lot more at Gosford on Sunday.  

"Michelle told us a few weeks ago the Gosford Cup was his target and his trials there have been very good to get ready for the race.

"A win like that first up tonight is great promotion for the sport and his wide group of owners will be on cloud nine for a few days. They are all punters so I'm tipping most of them couldn't have helped but back him – even at the $1.30."

With 14 racing greyhounds on the books and some well bred pups on the way through, Powell said his ever growing group of owners through At The Track Racing continue to enjoy the thrills and excitement the sport offers.

"We've had a bit of bad luck along the way and lost some really talented ones to injury but that's how it goes sometimes," Powell said.

"But a great example was two dogs we bought – Zipping Irwin and Zipping Abbott. We paid $3500 each for them and syndicated them out to members for around $175 a share and they went on to win around $70,000 between them.

"And those owners have reinvested and had the time of their life watching them race. Which is what it's all about."