Peter O’Reilly won the richest ever greyhound race run in Bundaberg with Flying Jet taking out the $25,000 winner’s cheque in the Bundaberg Cup final.
Yamanato trainer Peter is a quietly spoken man but his greyhounds, Flying Jet and Cool Change, just keep doing the talking for him.
The white and black Flying Jet, which only turned two on 8 May and is sensationally bred by Fernando Bale, was second favourite paying $3.70.
Flying Jet won convincingly by 1.75 lengths from popular elect Waddling Witch ($2.80), which also finished second to Flying Jet in last week’s heats.
Flying Jet only had his first start on 1 February and finished third at his third outing in the Group Three Vince Curry Memorial at Ipswich two weeks later.
He has raced a few times since, chalking up 52 starts for 15 wins – 11 at Ipswich and now four in Bundaberg – as well as 13 seconds and 11 thirds for $79,850 in prizemoney.
While he has not won at the Queensland greyhound capital Albion Park yet, he has already recorded four seconds and two thirds there.
Peter, who is on the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club committee, bred the dog and is a part-owner in his daughter’s syndicate which also includes Barry Kitchener, Mick Emery, Andrew Monaghan and a few other members of the family.
Peter has been a trainer never afraid to travel, jumping in the car to Bundy, Rocky and even Townsville if he sees the right race for a dog, and he’s been coming to the Rum City for “five or six years” now.
In an interview after winning four races in a day at Thabeban Park in February this year, he said that it’s the revamped Bundaberg Club that was really flourishing.
“Ten years ago there weren’t many South East Queensland trainers who’d make the journey up, but you’re seeing more and more good dogs up (here) every Monday and with $25,000 put up for the Cup this year I think you’ll see a city class field,” he said of the club in February.
Peter now has his sights set on the Ipswich Derby with Flying Jet.
With 12 greyhounds currently in work, it has been a good year all around for Peter, who also won the Rockhampton Cup in June with Shakey Diesel, picking up $17,500 prizemoney in that race, and many other races.
He said he has also won a number of other Cups over the years, including the 2014 Lismore Cup with Yogi Blue.
His Bundaberg Cup win was the second leg of a race-to-race double for him after taking out a Fifth Grade with Hello Mavis.
Monday was also a good day for Yandaran trainer Phil Carter, who picked up $5,250 for his victory in the Bundaberg Cup Consolation with another son of Fernando Bale, Fernando Tears, while Fernando Bale sired a third winner for the program, Cool Change, in the Mixed 2nd/3rd Grade.
Former Bundaberg club president John Kuhn took out the Maiden with Flying Xena, while two other district trainers were also among the winners, Paul Burgess with Andrew’s Shadow in the Masters 5th Grade, and Allen Kelly with Courtois in the Mixed 4th/5th Grade.
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