Tweed trainer targets Capalaba success

By Josh Spasaro 

Northern New South Wales trainer Michael Lalicz was adamant when asked about Kachina Ripple’s chances in Sunday’s Wayne Harris Appreciation Final at Capalaba — the quality of greyhounds in the race is “super impressive”.

“It’s probably one of the strongest fifth-grade races I’ve seen in a while. It’s one of the best ones I’ve seen at Capalaba for a while,” Lalicz said.

Lalicz’s two-year-old has not won in his past six starts, but has placed in all but two of those.

The Dungay conditioner bred his Ferdinand Boy and Ripple Rumble chaser. He said drawing the eight box would suit him well.

He will wear the pink rug in a field that includes the in-form Appeal for Gregory Stella, Lochinvar Nugget for Chris Brydon, Rupesh for Melissa Jordan and Black Kermaro for Gary Stewart.

“He’s drawn out where he wants to be,” Lalicz said. 

“He’s going as good as ever. He’s not a dog with a lot of early speed, which is to his detriment. 

"But, once he gets going, if he gets a bit of clear air, he can load up some decent splits.”

Kachina Ripple is from a 10-dog litter which has won almost $100,000 in total prizemoney.

And, the black dog is one of the best of them, with five wins from 38 starts.

“Out of that litter we’ve done pretty well. We’ll keep ticking away,” Lalicz said. 

“We need a bit of luck on the weekend, but that’s racing. He’s going to get left alone. 

"Most of them will push in. He’s not foreign to the track. He’s been there quite a bit.

“He’s won a 457 metre race in town. He’s more suited to the straight track.”

Ripple Rumble won 11 races from 35 starts and she has been a prolific dam for Lalicz.

“She’s retired obviously because of her age. Her pups amassed a bit over $600,000 or $700,000 in the total four litters,” Lalicz said.

“She’s nine years old now and laying on the loungeroom floor. Her progeny has great temperaments. But, above all, they just chase and chase.

“There are different levels of quality or ability, but the bottom line is they chase. 

“They’re pretty foolproof – that’s kind of why I chose them. Fast or slow, they work it out for themselves.

“You can’t do a great deal about that. But, as for the chase, you don’t have to do too much with them. They’ve got a desire to chase really well.”

Lalicz believes Ripple Rumble’s daughter, Ripple Reign, also has plenty of potential as a dam.

“Her daughter has had a couple of litters – one that I’m breaking in now. She only had 11 races for five wins. I retired her to breed with her,” he said.

“There are a couple of pups of hers in the first race at Capalaba on Sunday in Nautical Blue and Harlem Ripple.

“So, the family goes on. There were 10 of those to Feral Franky and seven of those will be race dogs. And, she’s got another litter which is 10 months old that is a bit of a blast from the past. They are by Hallucinate. 

“(AFL legend) Tony Lockett rang me up one day and said, ‘I’ve got a straw for that bitch if you want to use it’. And, they look terrific, so fingers crossed.”