Coursing key to Greysynd Spectre’s spark
By Gerard Guthrie
John Bosnich is extolling the virtues of coursing after a successful foray to the opening meeting of the season at Lang Lang sparked Greysynd Spectre’s return to the winner’s list after an eight-race losing streak.
Greysynd Spectre won two of his first five starts, both up the Healesville straight, before losing his way somewhat.
Devon Meadows-based trainer John Bosnich, a relative newcomer to the sport, was hoping to relight Greysynd Spectre’s spark when the coursing season began at Lang Lang on May 31 and his plan worked to perfection.
“Coursing is really the rawest and purest form of greyhound racing,” said Bosnich.
“They’re out in a paddock, it’s like they’re running around in the bush and it’s one on one. It encourages natural chasing.
“It’s not always going to be a success story but I reckon it’s a great way to get dogs going and it’s a great day out too.”
Bosnich was rewarded with Greysynd Spectre and Sheer Bliss both winning maiden events at Lang Lang and the benefits flowed on to last Wednesday night’s Cranbourne meeting when Greysynd Spectre was a gutsy come-from-behind winner over 311m.
“I’ve only been training for about four years and I’ve taken them coursing before but not so much last year,” Bosnich said.
“I took four dogs to Lang Lang and Greysynd Spectre and Sheer Bliss made finals and won. Raining Rainbows was a bit unlucky to end up against Gotham Queen and Catch Me Spolly ran really well too.
“Greysynd Spectre had gone off a bit but that’s what he’s been like ever since we got him. He goes off then he comes back and you’ve just got to try to keep his mind focused. But I wasn’t surprised he went well at coursing – he just flies behind a drag lure.”
Greysynd Spectre took that winning attitude to Cranbourne where he overcame early interference as an $8.20 chance to improve his record to three from 14, chalking up his first circle success.
“Even just going to Cranbourne he was ready to go through a brick wall,” said Bosnich.
“He was just ‘get out of my way!’
“It wasn’t a fast time but he came out and got smashed and I thought he was gone. But he just drove through. In his three courses he maybe covered 1000 metres so it was great for his fitness as well as his keenness.
“He’s back in at Cranbourne on Monday (race 7 at 4.14pm) and I can’t see why he can’t do it again. I’m hoping to get him up to 450m- 460m soon; that’s where he needs to be.”
As Bosnich continues to make his name in the always-competitive Victorian training ranks, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to implement coursing as a key aspect of his conditioning regime.
“I’ve always loved greyhound racing – we were owners for years – and I was thinking I can do this,” he explained.
“I’m doing it as a hobby at the moment but I’d like to do it professionally. We’ve got ten dogs at the moment and to be honest we haven’t got the quality yet but you’ve got to keep putting in the time and the hours and try to get your name out there.
“I believe that if you treat the dogs right and feed them right they’ll reward you.”
