Apap kennel can build on impressive strike-rate

By Alex Nolan

Trainer Tony Apap isn’t one to get caught up in facts and figures, but they don’t lie.

The 2010 Queensland greyhound industry’s personality of the year might not prepare the same amount of dogs he did once upon a time but his strike-rate remains impressive in 2022.

With eight wins from 23 starts this year, Apap maintains a winning rate of 35%.

In-fact, that number hasn’t dipped below 20% since 2012.  

“Someone mentioned this to me the other day but I never look at the stats, I just try to do my best and do the right thing by the dogs,” Apap said.

Nonetheless, punters will hope the industry stalwart can keep up his impressive numbers when he takes a team of four to Ipswich on Thursday night, headlined by three former Western Australians who have had an immediate impact in the Sunshine State.

Formerly with Apap’s friend David Hobby, Fearghal Monelli, Declan Monelli and Paddy Monelli all enjoyed winning starts to their Queensland careers recently.

“They’ve settled in nicely and are going well,” Apap said.

Hozier Monelli, who was sent out as a $1.75 favourite on debut at Ipswich, tore a back muscle and is on the road to recovery.

But Apap said Declan Monelli was the best of the lot and he is looking forward to see whether he can bounce back against a nice field in a mixed fourth and fifth grade event (race six) on Thursday.

Declan Monelli was a luckless fourth in the Ipswich Young Guns Final (520m) last-start and will look to turn around his fortunes from the inside box.

“He’s definitely the best one out of the four,” Apap said.

“I thought he was unlucky in the Young Guns. I’m not sure he would’ve beaten the winner (Tungsten Miss), but he would’ve gone a lot closer if they six didn’t crash across.

“If he can handle the inside as well as he handles the outside, which I think he will, then he can go close.”

Paddy Monelli will be looking for his third win at Ipswich when he contests the third event, while Fearghal Monelli will be looking for his second win in the following race.

“The dogs are well in themselves and they’ll have no excuses,” Apap said.

One of Apap’s most consistent performers over the past 12 months, Call Me Rip gets the chance to show his best when he lines up from box one in race five.

The son of Fernando Bale has missed the placings just seven times in 37 starts and has claimed more than $40,000 in prize money.

“He’ll get his chance this week but he’ll need to be right up to his mark,” Apap said.  

“I said to someone the other day he’s jumped from box seven that many times he’s probably getting used to it. Now that he’s drawn the one he’ll probably want to run wide!”  

Apap said he still enjoyed being involved in the industry but was slightly concerned his numbers were starting to get up again.

“A couple of months ago I’d dropped down to four and now I’m nearly at capacity again … but it’s in your blood, I suppose, so what else are you going to do?”