RIPPIN’ SAM HEADS WEST!
2018 Group 1 Galaxy Winner Rippin’ Sam has arrived in WA and will look to resurrect his racing career for Trainer Shayne Williams.
The full brother of superstar stayer Tornado Tears has had 42 starts for 15 wins and 16 placings with more than $345,000 in stake earnings.
The Son of Fernando Bale and Tears Siam has a classy resume which includes his Group 1 Galaxy win and placings in the Group 1 Association Cup at Wentworth Park, the Group 1 Gold Cup at Albion Park and Group 3 Superstayers Invitational in Queensland.
Rippin’ Sam’s heat and final victories in the 2018 Galaxy series were stunning with the white and brindle stayer unleashing devastating run home bursts which set the Cannington track alight and ultimately lifted him to Group 1 glory.
Tune in to #GreyhoundGold to find out if the boys can produce some magic in their best bets this weekend.
WATCH: https://t.co/jPiYNPVLMy @greyhounds_wa @TAB_touch @Shortte @OfficialRWWA pic.twitter.com/MDfNN9csus
— The Dogs WA (@TheDogsWA) June 27, 2019
Local Trainer Shayne Williams is delighted to have Sam join his kennels and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the regally bred strongman.
“It is tremendous to have a dog of his calibre come into my kennels.” Williams said.
Williams has had an association with the greyhound going right back to when it was a pup.
“On the recommendation of Rob Britton I looked at buying one of Tears Siam’s pups off Michael Ivers.” Williams said
“Tears Siam was a sister to Space Star who Rob had great success with and he suggested if the pups possessed the level of ability of the top tree of the family I might end up with a smart dog.”
“Not long after I bought him I took the job as the Lure Driver at Cannington and had to sell him due to the rules of racing.”
“The lady that bought him told me if he turned out any good she would include the word Rippin’ in its name. A long story short – at the time if I was keen on something I would usually refer to it as Rippin’.”
“Once he appeared for his debut and had Rippin’ in his name I knew he must be handy.”
“As it turns out he has been a Group 1 chaser and I have loved following his career.” Williams added.
Shayne thought any hopes of being associated with the dog may have disappeared after selling him as a pup but recently a chance to re-unite with him opened up.
“Marilyn Duncan, based in Victoria, who had a lot of racing dogs and some in WA, followed our Rippin Greyhound Racing Kennels page on Facebook and she rang to see if she could get involved in the ownership of Sam.” Williams said.
“After his recent stint in New Zealand the owner was open to selling him and Marilyn bought him.”
“She was good enough to give me the opportunity to train him and I am very grateful for the chance to work with him.” Williams added.
Williams is not making any bold predictions in regards to what Sam may achieve in the short term but suggests it was well worth another crack before retiring him to stud duties which his new owner agreed.
“He is not even three and a half years old yet and if he can recapture something like his top form then there could still yet be some fun to be had.” Williams said.
“It is not often you have a greyhound with Group 1 ability in your kennel and you are a long time retired.” Williams added.
Rippin’ Sam will stay based in WA and aim up at the local Distance Free To All’s in the coming months.
“The Nationals haven’t worked out from a qualification perspective so I will just gradually bring him along. In the next 4 -6 weeks we hope to be able to put him into one of the Free To All’s at Cannington.” Williams commented.
“He seems keen to race still but time will tell.” Williams said.
“If he comes back and the results tell me he has had enough we won’t be pushing him.” Williams added.
“When his time on the racetrack comes to a close we will start drawing straws again but for now I just want to focus on trying to get his confidence back and get him to the track in winning form for Marilyn.” Williams suggested.
When it comes time to eventually call a close on Sam’s racetrack performances, a career at stud beckons.
“He is a full brother to one of the freakiest stayers the sport has ever seen in Tornado Tears and with Tornado Tears not able to serve any bitches this is the ticket into the bloodline.” Williams said.
Rippin’ Sam already has approximately 150 pups on the ground with the oldest of them nearly 7 months old.
“He has his fair share of pups on the ground and Sarah Appleton and Kylie Mclennan have a litter each here locally and Marilyn Duncan has also purchased one of his pups.” Williams said.
“Nellie Lost It is probably the best credentialed bitch to visit him so far – she broke the 600 metre track record at Bathurst and is the sister of smart bitch Midnight Elsa.” Williams added.
“If you are looking to inject some strength into your line than this is the dog you want to have a close look at.” Williams said
“A lot of races open up if you can run out a distance and with the recent news of a $100 starters bonus for any dog running 490 metres or further locally there may be incentive for some local breeders to head that way.” Williams added.
Rippin’ Sam will stand at stud with a service fee of $1,100 plus GST.
David Shortte