NZ RACING’S GREATEST EVER EARNER TO BE RETIRED
Source: The Greyhound Recorder (Extract)
Posted: July 26, 2024
New Zealand’s leading stakes earner, Federal Infrared, will be retired immediately and returned home when the current airline embargo is lifted.
Morgan Benjes, whose mother Noeleen owns Federal Infrared, mentioned that the record-breaking greyhound will return to Australia as soon as the current airline embargo on greyhounds is lifted.
Federal Infrared (Aussie Infrared-Flo Jo Focus) has achieved an impressive 55 wins, 13 placings, and earned over $400,000. She has claimed three Group 1 titles, including the New Zealand Cup, Spion Rose, and Wanganui Cup, as well as feature races such as the North Island Challenge twice, Manawatu Cup, and Waikato Cup. Additionally, she finished second in the 2022 New Zealand Cup and third in the Group 1 Waterloo Cup.
Trained by Brendon and Lisa Cole, Federal Infrared is now set for retirement. “Brendon has already arranged her pink card to prepare for her breeding career,” Benjes said. “She has done more than enough, and anything now is just a bonus for all of us. She has been an incredible dog.”
Benjes has recently acquired a 40-acre property in Churchable, Queensland, with plans to establish a greyhound complex and is eager to have Federal Infrared as his foundation brood.
He also noted that Federal Infrared’s dam, Flo Jo Focus (Kiowa Producer-Flash Focus) from the renowned Chili Berger damline, has a promising litter sired by NZ Group 1 winner Federal Morgan that is just beginning its racing career. Additionally, Flo Jo Focus has another litter on the way by Aston Fastnet, and a young litter by El Grand Senor. Benjes is considering a repeat mating of Flo Jo Focus with Aussie Infrared and is currently developing a breeding plan for Federal Infrared.
In other news, Greyhound Racing New Zealand and Entain Australia & New Zealand, operators of New Zealand’s TAB, will launch “The TAB Dog” on August 1. Greyhounds drawn in box three during New Zealand races will sport a specially-branded rug featuring the TAB logo and colors, earning the title “The TAB Dog.”
Two greyhound race meetings each week will feature Bonus Back specials on The TAB Dog, aiming to boost turnover and enhance the TAB brand.
“We anticipate that The TAB Dog will bring a new level of excitement to our racing and drive increased turnover,” said GRNZ Chief Executive Edward Rennell.
Entain’s managing director NZ, Cameron Rodger, added, “We understand that punters appreciate familiarity and consistency, so we are confident this initiative, in collaboration with GRNZ, will heighten interest across all New Zealand greyhound races. The TAB Dog rug concept will likely be popular, and the Bonus Back promotions are an excellent way to increase engagement.”
