Weeding ready for potential to blossom at 'Rocky'

By Pat McLeod

Busy Rockhampton trainer Robert Weeding is hoping potential converts to performance when the promising Playing To Win debuts in the Rockhampton Maiden 1000 heats over 407 metres on Wednesday night.

The Speed Star and Sweet Suzie chaser has already convinced Weeding that he has the ability to be an on-track success.

“I have got big hopes for this dog,” he said.

“For him to be running the times that he is running at his age is impressive and I hope he really goes on.”

Weeding, who works full-time as a builder as well as managing his current seven race dogs, said he was rapt that Victorian owner and breeders Sonia and Craig Davis had sent the dog his way.

“Craig and Sonia have given a lot of their dogs to another local trainer, Dallas Beckett, over the years and I presume that because Dallas is winding down a little bit, my name came into the mix,” he said.

“When they offered to me the dog, they said he showed some potential during break-in. I am also training one other dog for them at the moment, Wilma Flintstone, who is also in the maiden heats on Wednesday night.

“Playing To Win has been trialling well and is out of their sire, Speed Star.

“I have one from Sweet Suzie’s first litter, Sweet Lollipop, and she is a really good performer. So, when they offered me this dog I jumped at the opportunity. He is a beautiful white dog with a patch over one eye.

“Craig and Sonia are very excited about the prospects of Playing To Win."

Weeding says he is happy with how Playing To Win is travelling. 

“Indications from this line is that they just get better and better and we are already seeing that with this dog," Weeding said. 

“He has drawn box seven and I would have preferred him a little closer, but in trialling I have put him in outside boxes as well as inside boxes.

“These races are always hard to win, but you can't fault his trial form. It is all up to him from here.”

Weeding said he had increased kennel numbers slightly this year and had ‘given greyhound racing a bit more of a go’.

The results from that have been positive. 

With half the calendar year now gone Weeding has registered 18 wins and 22 placings from 76 starters.

“Yes, things are going pretty well at the moment for me,” he said.

“I am really happy and am getting a winner almost every week since the start of the year.

“I also have some pups that will start racing soon. They were going to be set for this race, but it is about a month early for them.

“Working full-time and with the dogs, you don’t get much of a break. But, I am really enjoying it.”