Plenty of run in champ’s old legs

BONGIOLETTI is one of Tasmanian greyhound racing’s unsung heroes.

The 5½-year-old from the Gary Johnson kennel at Leith on the North-West broke a record recently that many thought would not be broken.

Johnny Rocco raced in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was considered one of the best of his era and he was trained for his 195 starts by Harry Walker, considered one of the best in the business.

Bongioletti passed Johnny Rocco’s record of the greatest number of starts by a greyhound in Tasmania when he lined up for his 196th start in Devonport last Tuesday week, in which he finished a game fourth and under two lengths from the winner.

The son of Take the Kitty was at it again this week and again he showed plenty of grit and determination by rattling home along the rails to finish third in a race for aged dogs over 452m.

Bongioletti has raced 197 times for 24 wins and 73 minor placings as well as 36 fourths for about $63,000 in stakes.

His breeder and partowner Robyn Johnson refers to the dog as her “marvel”.

“This dog is a marvel because he has never had an injury and despite his age he just loves to come to the races and be a part of it all and I don’t think we have had a dog that is as keen a chaser,” Johnson said.

“The introduction of masters racing has enabled this dog and so many more like him to be able to continue racing beyond the age of four.”

Masters racing was introduced a few years ago to give greyhounds that are still keen to be a part of racing an opportunity to compete at a level that befits their age.

When Bongioletti was parading before his race on Tuesday the black dog could hardly wait to get on to the track and be among the action.

He drew box eight but was slowly away and settled near the rear of the field.

But with so much race experience under his belt he stayed wide and waited until a gap appeared before crossing down to the rail and in the home straight, he powered home along the rail to grab third place.

When he returned to the kennel block, he was wagging his tail and relishing all the pats and love being dished out by his handler.

“We treat every dog equally but when you have one that is approaching his 200th start you can’t help but treat him a little bit differently because he is quite special.”

Bongioletti has been a dream to train according to Johnson.

“He loves the racing environment and it is what has kept him feeling young.

“He has a wonderful nature and he loves being around other dogs.

“You can tell when a dog is tired of racing and this one is still way off being retired.

“During the week he will be happy to stay in his kennel and come out for walks and a run or to have an empty [go to toilet], but as soon as he sees the trailer being hooked up to the car, he’s at his gate waiting to go to the races.”

Bongioletti is owned by Johnson and Murray Mace and when the talented chaser eventually finishes racing, he will spend the rest of his days in retirement at Mace’s property on the North-West Coast.