There’s an undeniable union within Warrnambool’s greyhound racing fraternity.
And that ‘unbreakable bond’ is never more evident as the Group 1 Bold Trease final (715m) – one of the sport’s premier staying events – approaches at Sandown Park on Friday night.
The Bold Trease is named in honour of the “Warrnambool Warrior” who won four consecutive Sandown Cups (1986-89).
His last-to-first racing style brought thousands through the turnstiles. He not only captured the imagination of the people within the game, but also the recognition of the general public at large.
Trained by Norman McCullagh, another Warrnambool icon, Bold Trease won the 1987 Victorian Greyhound of the Year award. Both are Hall of Fame inductees.
Bold Trease lost a battle with bone cancer on July 24, 1991. He is now appropriately commemorated with a monument at the McCullagh property.
Norm McCullagh, Untapped, Aimee Drew and Dustin Drew’s daughter Evie, 7, encircled by Bold Trease’s four Sandown Cups.
Fittingly, there’s a strong Warrnambool connection for this year’s $105,000 to-the-winner Bold Trease.
And the aura and emotion associated with such a champion greyhound is not lost on Aimee Drew whose Dennington-based brother, Dustin, has Untapped (Box 1) in the final.
In fact, Aimee visited Norm and Barbara McCullagh on Monday and laid a red rose at Bold Trease’s memorial.
“She (Untapped) is in Box 1 – the ‘red’ alley – hence the red rose,” Aimee said. “If anyone can get her across the line, it’s the spirit of Bold Trease.
“We also wanted to do something for Norm and his wife Barb. We respect the race’s significance and what Bold Trease achieved.
“Norm has helped us immensely and he allows us to use his straight track. He’s 81 but still goes to work every day, running an automotive business in town.”
Aimee and Dustin lost their father – and life mentor – Ray on October 14. The highly respected Warrnambool greyhound racing identity sadly passed away after a 10-month battle with liver cancer, aged 73.
“We want to keep dad’s name and memory alive, and he’d be very proud of Dustin,” Aimee said. “Mum (Janice) and I are also thrilled.
“Dustin has prepped Untapped a long time for this. He’s shown a lot of patience and perseverance and spends more time with the dogs than with his partner Louise and seven-year-old daughter Evie.”
Amazingly, race favourite Mepunga Ruby (Box 3) is bred and owned by Mepunga East legend Barry Smith.
“I can recall her, she had a white tip on her tail,” Smith quipped. “I kept two from the litter, including Mepunga Warrior, but Mepunga Ruby was specifically kept for breeding.”
Smith added: “It means a hell of a lot to me. Bold Trease is a legend in Warrnambool and Norm McCullagh is a close friend of mine.
“If either Mepunga Ruby or Untapped were lucky enough to win, it would be great for the Warrnambool community; it would give a lot of local people a buzz.
