Hobby sets sail for 3000!
Leading WA Mentor David Hobby is closing in on a unique milestone of training 3000 winners in WA.
Hobby has dominated the training ranks in WA in recent times and on Sunday night he will receive the Leading Trainer Award at the 2020 WA Greyhound of The Year gala function at Crown Perth.
David Hobby stood atop in the training ranks in Western Australia throughout the course of 2020 taking out the leading Trainer award at both Cannington and Mandurah.
On top of that David trained the Trackstar of the year at both venues with Flake Monelli winning the honour at Cannington and Mermaid Monelli crowned the Mandurah Trackstar of 2020.
Some of Hobby’s star performers for the year included Zack Monelli, Flake Monelli, Mermaid Monelli, Withers Monelli and Steve Monelli.
Heading in to Saturday night Hobby had trained 2994 winners and given the quality of personnel within his kennel it will not take long to smash through the 3000 mark.
Hobby has young gun Stout Monelli engaged in the Listed Keith Harding Canning Trophy Final on Saturday night but the wide draw could be a potential road block according to Hobby.
“Stout Monelli is a very nice young dog but the wide draw in a final like this makes it a tough task.” Hobby said.
“At first glance there is potential for him to get squeezed up early and that is not ideal, particularly when there is strong opposition.” Hobby added.
“With a clear run he is very capable but he will need a bit of luck from out there.” Hobby suggested.
Another of Hobby’s kennel stars Zack Monelli returns to WA after two excellent fourths in the Group 1 Zoom Top and Super Stayers finals against Australia’s best distance performers.
Zack Monelli is engaged in the Free For All over 520 metres and all things going well on Saturday Zack is likely to head to Wentworth Park for a tilt at the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg series.
“I have a ticket booked for Zack to head across to Sydney for the Egg series and should everything go to plan on Saturday night he will aim up at it.” Hobby said.
“He is probably more of a strong sprinter than an out and out stayer but he is versatile and that leaves me with options with him.” Hobby added.
How Zack Monelli goes in the Egg is likely to determine whether he aims up at a Group 1 Perth Cup or a Group 1 Galaxy in a month’s time.
“If he goes deep in to the series for the Egg I wouldn’t have time to step up the workload to have him ready for a Galaxy so it will very much rely on how he performs in Sydney as to which way I go for the local Group Ones.” Hobby said.
Hobby will be keeping an eye on Victoria as well with two of his youngsters Draft Monelli and Toohey Monelli having a tilt at the Launching Pad.
“They trialled only average but they were new to the surroundings and hopefully they will improve for a look at the place.”” Hobby said.
Star youngster Sunset Spitfire is on the come-back trail after spending some time on the sidelines with wrist issues.
“He had some surgery on chips in his wrist and he has seemingly come through it all well.” Hobby said.
“I will be trialling him over the shorts at Mandurah on Monday and if that goes to plan I will up his workload and see how it pans out.” he added.
“I am unsure as to whether or not he will be ready in time for the Perth Cup heats – I will leave it up to him to let me know.” Hobby commented.
Another of Hobby’s kennel stars Mermaid Monelli is also not far away from returning to the track.
“Mermaid hurt a hock and has been out for 6-8 weeks but she is now ready to work up again and I will trial her over 300 metres at Mandurah next week.” Hobby said.
“She doesn’t have a lot left to achieve on the track and I would suggest when she comes in season I will let her start the next phase of her life as a Mum.” Hobby added.
Speaking of life as a Mum, Hobby’s star bitch Flake Monelli has recently whelped a litter of 8 pups to champion sire Barcia Bale.
“They are healthy and happy pups and hopefully she is as good a Mum as she was a race bitch.” Hobby said.
Flake Monelli is one of three contenders for the 2020 WA Greyhound of the Year along with dual Group 1 Galaxy winner Rockstar Patriot and Group 1 Hobart 1000 Winner Tommy Shelby.
Sunday night at Crown Perth is the night of night’s for the local industry with a host of awards presented to the high achievers of 2020.
David Shortte