Update on our gorgeous racing girl Hannah (All The Milk)

By Fatima |

Monday, August 26, 2013

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Cute Hannah (All The Milk)

So many of you who are not on Facebook often ask me about how our racing girls are doing. While we have many updates on them on our Facebook page , I somehow always run out of time to post a bit here on the blog.  :(
Little Hannah (All The Milk) is having the best time at Wanganui track - she has had a few starts there with overall awesome results! A few times she was unlucky and got checked or could not find racing room in  time, but her luck has been improving! She won her maiden race on 24th July there -  it was amazing! I don't think we have ever screamed that much -and I have to admit that lots of Moet was drunk that Wednesday lunchtime! There were a few happy tears too :)
Here is the photo finish:

Hannah winning! :) (you can click on the photo to see full size)

And even better -you can see the video of the race at the link below (Hannah is in the white and green striped rug ; the video should start at 1:24min -this is the time of her race):
http://youtu.be/AAaKeIJ9Sck?t=1m24s

Hannah also had the most AMAZING run for a second place on August the 14th - she did incredibly  well, happy little doggie coming from the back and pushing to the second place! We were so impressed , and so happy for this young dog, doing what she loves and having the best time. The video of this race is truly a must see (Hannah is in white rug number 3 in this race; this video should start at 10:35minutes):
http://youtu.be/gfTXdKDgazQ?t=10m35s

And last week - this happy little girl has had her first middle distance race (520meters) and she came third!!! It is an amazing result for a dog who has not had any experience racing over this distance (all her previous starts were sprints, over 305meters).
But whatever the distance she is racing on - Hannah is always smiling :

I just wish that all the dogs, of all breeds, had a chance to do what they love, to have a job and enjoy it, like this beautiful girl and her parents did. That is the biggest wish of mine - although somewhat farfetched, I know. :) But we are allowed to dream ...
We are very excited about Hannah's career (she is really still a puppy, she is turning 2yrs old at the end of October) and we look forward seeing her running for a long time to come. And we promise we will keep you posted, both on our Facebook page and on our blog.

PS: Hannah's sister Stella (All The Coco)  has not really started racing yet -she is chilling out in a greyhound paddock in Rangiora, as her trainer would like her to mature a bit more before starting racing. It is a bit too far to visit but we heard she is having a great time :)

Here is a picture of lovely Stella:
 

Our amazing racing puppy Hannah (All The Milk)

By Fatima |

Monday, April 1, 2013

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Hannah flying :)

It has been the most amazing weekend for the Nightrave team: our racing greyhound puppy Hannah (All The Milk) won both her races  at Taranaki Easter race meet!!  Not only that - but she also posted the best time for puppy races for this weekend meet too! (dont ask me what the time was -I have no clue! :)
Hannah and her sister Stella were both broken in and are being trained by the lovely Mike Lozell in Tokoroa. Stella could not come to these races as she has come into season - but Hannah certainly had the best time! She won both her races, and she also posted the best time for the puppy races for the whole meeting! And, for one of those races -I was there! :)

On Saturday, our good friend Sue and myself drove to Hawera, the home of the Taranaki Greyhound Club, where the races were held. Sue took most of the pictures in this post (thank you so much Sue, for both coming with me and for taking these gorgeous shots of Hannah's big day!).

This was Hannah's very first race. First time she wore her racing rug! She was a very excited little dog. I was with her handler Mike and her before the race and she was raring to go!!! A little young dog who cannot wait for some action (you can click on photos for full size):

OMG I can hear the lure! I want it! :)

Yes, I know I look great in my designer racing collar and lead! But I can hear the lure! Get me on the track! 

OMG!!!!!! In the kennel block, I met my litter brother Isaac! I have not seen him for a while!
Despite desperately wanting to get out there to race , I took a  second to say hello :)

YES ! We are almost there! I cant wait!!!!!!

 The race was amazing. Hannah flew down that track -with a smile on her face:

Hannah is on the far right   - having the best time !

 

Hannah flying to the winning post, with a huge grin on her face

And yes, she won! Sue and me jumped and screamed  - and I have to admit, I had a few tears in my eyes :)  I was just stunned, and so happy for this little dog who was doing what she loves , and having the time of her life! I was also happy for her lovely trainers and handlers, Mike, Maxine, Max and another Mike. It was so humbling to see how supportive and sweet other trainers at the meeting were of us and Hannah -trainers whom I met through my volunteer work at GAP NZ (Greyhounds As Pets). They were as excited as I was, and kept congratulating us on our very first racing doggie doing so well. I was very touched. It was amazing.
It IS a dream come through - we have wanted a racing greyhound or two for a few years now. We at Nightrave are passionate about the breed and the sport which they love -and this very first racing greyhound of ours and her very first races are very emotional for us. I have to say - last Saturday, with Hannah and Sue and my friends at that track was very very special. And I will be honest and say I will never forget it, as long as I live. 
Sue took these amazing pictures after Hannah's win:

Hannah, Mike (Hannah's handler) and me :)

Hannah and me :) Hannah looks happy and  gorgeous, I look stunned !!! :)

A very special photo: Hannah being hosed after her race, by her handler Mike. Looking on are me and the lovely Max Mathews, who also handled Hannah. Max has been in greyhound racing for 30 years, and is an amazing man, a true gentleman. He was also our Yellow's (Gold For Thys) trainer!

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Hannah loved the water :)

We are very excited about Hannah's future  - it will be a pleasure to watch her enjoy her racing career in the years to come. And it is a priviledge being able to be guardians of such an incredible racing dog. We will keep you all posted about Hannah's exploits via this blog! 
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Meet the Nightrave racing doggies!

By Fatima |

Saturday, January 12, 2013

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Hello, I am Hannah (All The Milk)

Yesterday I went to visit our Nightrave racing girls, who are currently in the 'racing school' in Waikato. It was a very exciting experience - we have been planning to add racing dogs to our pack for a while now - and finally, it is happening!

And I am Stella (All The Coco) !

Hannah (fawn) and Stella (black and white) are 14 months old litter sisters, who travelled all the way from Rangiora after they got accepted into the racing school run by the lovely Mike Lozell.We have already chosen their racing names too - Hannah's racing name is 'All The Milk' and Stella's is 'All The Coco' :)

Mike and Stella (who looks brown LOL :) Both girls still have thick fluffy southern puppy coats :)

Mike was a great sport helping me get some pictures

Hannah looks like a dingo -complete with EARS!

Yup -dingo!

 I took loads of pictures, however most turned out blurry - greyhound puppies are very energetic! I am always amazed how different young greyhounds are compared to a seasoned racing dog or a retired racer - they are like energizer bunnies, never standing still!
 Stella and Hannah love their training  - they have already been chasing the lure in the paddocks and loving it. Nothing as happy as young dogs with jobs :)

Most of my photos turned out like this!!

and this! :)

Girls have been amusing themselves by digging holes :)

Hannah's and Stella's Mum is gorgeous Felicity (Know Desire), an accomplished racing dog (98 starts for 16 wins and 31 placings).  Girls' Grandma is famous Love Of History. Here are some pictures of Felicity:

Felicity with Cate at the racing track in September 2009.

Felicity in retirement :)

Dad is Scotty (Scotexcited) - an amazing dog with a great personality, great looks, great racing career and a fantastic pedigree.

Scotexcited, the girls' Dad! (picture taken off Ashley's blog , link below)

 Scotty had 75 starts for 24 wins and 18 placings. He won over $64,000 in stake money. I copied some of Scotty's stats from Ashley's blog:
Winner of 2007 NZ Derby; Colin Gray Memorial 545m Ascot Park; 2006 Dunedin Cup;
2nd 2007 NEW ZEALAND SHOOTOUT 527m Auckland.
By top sire Excitability, Scotexcited is from the outstanding brood bitch Groovy
Jewel and is a brother to Australian group performer Indian Larry, NZ stayer Groovy Again , and a half brother to top performers Cool Groovy, Groovy Finance, Groovy Shot, Groovy Eye, Scott No Track etc. You can see more of Scotty's pictures on
http://twirlyberly.blogspot.co.nz/2010/08/scotexcited.html

We'll bring you more updates from the racing pups as they grow up and get closer to beginning their careers. Fingers crossed!