Lion’s namesake chasing Derby glory

By Jordan Gerrans

Triple premiership Lion Hugh McCluggage has done nothing but kick goals since he lobbed in Brisbane and his greyhound namesake will face the biggest test of his short career on Thursday evening in the Ipswich Derby.

The Derby carries Group 3 status, with $30,000 going the way of the winner. The same on the line for the ladies in the Futurity.

Greyhound McCluggage is owned and raced by Arana Hills dog man Hassell Rolph and is named after instrumental Brisbane Lion Hugh McCluggage.

A Victorian, the 28-year-old McCluggage has ridden the magic carpet journey of the Lions in recent seasons, yielding three premierships, an All-Australian gong while also boasting co-captaincy rank in recent years.

Rolph, who trains alongside his son Stephen, would be thrilled if their chaser could achieve similar accolades in his racing career.

“Being a Derby, you get the best young fellas around,” Hassell Rolph said.

“He's done well. It's great to have that interest in a good young dog.

“They don't have to win, but it's nice to have a bit above-average greyhound and hopefully he can go on a bit further.”

McCluggage won his Ipswich Derby heat in 25.27 seconds last Thursday evening around the Q1 Lakeside surface from the two alley.

The Arana Hills-based kennel is hoping for an inside draw in Thursday’s decider, but they are wary of Aston Missile from the Michelle Sultana team, who won his heat in a sharp 24.94 seconds.

The 80-year-old Rolph is a rugby league man himself, having played with Norths in his younger years. 

A family friend who is a keen Australian Rules follower suggested naming the chaser after the star Brisbane Lion.

"My son Lenny's mate Nick Sherwood has been suggesting for ages the use of McCluggage for one of our dogs," Stephen Rolph said earlier this year.

Back in July, the footballer McCluggage made a surprise appearance at The Q to watch the dog named in his honour compete and he duly saluted.

The Rolphs even snapped a picture with the top midfielder.

“He did the right thing and he won for us that night,” Hassell Rolph recalled.

“It must have been pretty good for him. It was very much so, I got a photo there with both my McCluggages.

“It was a good night. It just happened, the night he did turn up. He had some appointment to do up around that area.

“But, that's good that they did and he lobbed that night.

“He was pretty quiet Hugh, but I think he said it was the first time he had been to the dogs.

“But, of course, he was very happy with the result that night. They did come at the right time.”

McCluggage is from a Fernando Bale and Black Magic Rose mating. 

The Rolph family purchased the blue dog from Northern Rivers breeder Fred Swain, who raced the dam.

Having only recently ticked past two years of age, the kennel is hopeful there is much more to come with their 13-time winner from just 22 attempts.

“We are very happy with him,” the veteran trainer said.

“I think his record could have been a bit better, not that I'm complaining, but that does happen with dog racing, sometimes there's some sort of interference.

“But, we're very happy with the way he's running. 

"He's only just over two years old. Hopefully he can stay sound and hopefully he's got a few more wins in him in the future.

“In the heat, the one dog just jumped out and went hard left and gave our fella a lovely run.

“On his night, he has got some early pace. So, he just lobbed in front on the fence, and that's a place to be, of course.”

Ahead of Thursday’s rich decider, the Rolph team took their chasers to the Glass House Mountains for a gallop on Sunday, with Stephen also taking Milchick, a greyhound he prepares.

McCluggage may head back to Capalaba following the Ipswich Derby Final.