Silver sticking to the winning formula at the Ekka

By Jordan Gerrans

Former race dog Silver Sticks’ victory in the Ekka Greyhound Sweepstakes of 2025 was almost a decade in the making. 

The blue brindle dog was a 10-time career winner from 24 attempts before he retired in July of last year.

Silver Sticks went out on a high as he won his last ever race at Capalaba for his trainer Clifford Houston. 

The Houston kennel at Burpengary has a close connection with Beaudesert’s Toni Potter who took on Silver Sticks following his racing days. 

Potter has welcomed several dogs from the Houston team over the years into her home including former chaser Sharkiaya. 

Sharkiaya was crowned the best of breed and best neutered bitch at the Ekka seven years ago.

Potter was able to win the crown again this week with Silver Sticks being judged the best of breed in the neutered section.

“That made it even more special,” Potter said. 

“To do it again with a dog from the same trainers and owners, that was great.

“I have known Silver Sticks since he was a pup, I followed him right throughout his career. Helen Sant and Cliff are just my dearest friends and I wouldn’t know what I know now if it wasn’t for them.

“They are beautiful people."

Potter refers to Silver Sticks as her ‘silver shadow’.

Sharkiaya is known as Sandy around Potter’s place and is still living her best life at nearly 14 years of age. 

Sharkiaya won five races and was placed in four more before retiring in early 2016.

Silver Sticks has transitioned into life after racing beautifully with Potter. 

In his last race at Capalaba, he defeated Fernando Grand who broke the track record up the grass straight track during his career. 

“He is so laidback,” Potter said of Silver Sticks.

“I call him my silver shadow, when we are out in my yard at my place – he always needs to be out there with us in the garden.

“He is a big sticky beak, he always needs to know what is going on with everything.

“He loves hanging with us in the garden because we grow a lot of our own vegetables that the dogs eat, as well.”

Not long after his final race, Silver Sticks competed in the Ekka Greyhound Sweepstakes last year where he placed fourth in his category. 

A full year on and having eased into life after racing, Potter believes he was able to put his best foot forward this time around. 

“I was absolutely gobsmacked to win, I did not expect it at all,” she said.

“To go on and win best of breed neutered, I didn’t realise it until it was announced.

“It was the best surprise ever. I am just so proud of him, he did so well.”

Potter says she is already planning to return to the Ekka of 2026 with ‘Silver’.

She says there was a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the Ekka Greyhound Sweepstakes this year with plenty of the general public interacting with the former chasers. 

In other categories at the 2025 event, the best of breed for was won by leading Queensland trainer Jemma Daley with Hara’s Bonnie. 

Daley has been a regular attendee at the Sweepstakes over the last few years and presents a full team across many classes, including the likes of Hara's Herbie and Hara's Pepper, among others. 

The Nicholls family were also celebrated at the event with former champion race bitch Days of Thunder on show.