Thoroughbred and greyhound trainer Des Douch was chuffed Thursday night following Cairo Calling’s dominant win.
Cairo Calling took full advantage of his inside draw and led clearly in the early stages, he went on to win by 6½ lengths from Crump’s Beauty in a sharp 29.48.
“I was disappointed with his last start, but tonight when he went to the front I knew he was going to be hard to beat. He’s a strong greyhound and he proved that with his run home time,” explained Douch.
Cairo Calling hails from a very impressive litter (Banjo Boy x Easy Baby) and the first that Douch has ever bred. Of the litter of eight, they’ve combined for 103 race starts, 41 wins and have placed in a further 31.
Douch got involved in greyhound racing through his good friend and one of the country’s highest regarded trainers in Jason Thompson.
“I’ve been mates with Jason for a long time. I already train horses and Jason encouraged me to get involved in greyhound racing. Initially I didn’t think it was a good idea, but he convinced me to have a crack at it.
“We (nephew and jockey Brandon Stockdale and good mate Darren Toogood) paid a small amount for the mother, she lived only a couple hundred yards from my place. Luckily we chose a good sire in Banjo Boy. I didn’t know anything about Banjo Boy, I saw a sign that said Banjo Boy at stud and that was it. I thought that’ll do me so I rang the bloke up and he explained how good Banjo Boy actually was. It’s all been a bit of luck.”
With luck has come a lot of hard work, caring for five race horses and 13 greyhounds is possible with great assistance from friends and family.
“My brother helped me out a hell of a lot. I’m always busy with the horses and greyhounds but get a lot of help from my family.
“Jason Thompson has also been a big help for me. Anytime I can give him a call and ask him questions, it’s been a big advantage. I’m glad I’ve gone down this path but we’ve fluked a very good litter. From it I’ve got this fella (Cairo Calling), Big Flood, Brugelino just to name a few, they’re all smart dogs.”
Star of the litter Big Flood returns to racing Sunday night at Sale (race 6) for the first time since April
Click here for Thursday’s results
