News

THE Group 1 Maturity Classic looms for boom youngster Organised Crime after a near-record performance at The Meadows on Wednesday night.

Original article written by The Greyhound Recorder’s Gerard Guthrie 

IF there was any doubt about Organised Crime being the most exciting young dog in the country, those question marks were erased with a near-record performance at The Meadows on a bitterly cold Wednesday night.

Continuing a phenomenal run for his owner/breeders Michael and Darren Puleio, Organised Crime clocking a scintillating 29.43 in a 13-length romp.

A regally related son of super sire Bernardo and Easy Choice, a litter sister to the Puleios’ stud dog Hooked On Scotch, Organised Crime was only one length outside Traumatise’s 525m record.

Trained by Justin Nolan, Organised Crime, which doesn’t turn two until next month, had won the Group 2 Horsham Cup (485m) at his previous start and his first city success was his sixth win from nine starts.

The performance catapulted Organised Crime to the top of betting on the G1 Maturity Classic, the heats of which will be held at The Meadows next Saturday (July 18), usurping the likes of Off The Chart, Dewana Star, and Dramatical.

“We know he’s a quick dog but on that kind of night, very cold, we didn’t think he would run that,” a pleasantly surprised Darren Puleio said on Thursday morning.

---

 

Organise Crime (7) was near faultless when setting the seventh fastest time over the Meadows 525m journey on Wednesday night. 

---

“He’s progressing nicely, doing everything right and we know he’s got a lot of ability, but we’ve been here before so we’re keeping a lid on it, without being smart.

“Last night was a test for him to get back to town and see how he would go and he surprised all of us really.

“I think the number one thing about the run was how cold it was – single digits – I was at Cranbourne when he went around and it was five degrees.

“There’s a couple in the litter that go well. His sister (Red Hot Diva) ran 29.59 at The Meadows. I think she’s the second quickest bitch to go around there.”

Organised Crime’s stunning display at The Meadows provided a timely boost to Michael Puleio, who was hospitalised following a recent car accident.

“Dad’s got a broken sternum, a couple of broken ribs, and a little puncture in his lung, but he’s pretty tough and he’s bouncing back,” Darren explained.

“What was really good about last night was that he rang me up after the race and was so excited. I just hope we can get one of these big ones in Queensland on Saturday night for him.”

Those “big ones” Puleio is referring to are the G1 Brisbane Cup (520m) and G1 Queensland Cup (710m), being held at Q2.

The Puleios race Brisbane Cup contender Off The Chart (box 6) and Queensland Cup aspirant Without A Trace (box 5), both trained by Peter Presutto.

---

The Puleio and Presutto families are chasing Group 1 glory with Off The Chart and Without A Trace on Saturday night.

---

“I don’t mind where Off The Chart is drawn,” Darren said.

“All the pace is inside and they go to the rail, so I’m hoping he gets a nice run.

“He’s a Maturity dog too but we’ll just see how he pulls up after Saturday night and get him home.

“I expect Without A Trace to improve this week but she’s got to improve a lot.

“She didn’t really handle the trip up this time, but she has to turn up on Saturday night. There’s no hiding in this one.

“We’re just blessed at the moment with the dogs we have. I suppose what makes it more special for us is that we breed them and rear them, we don’t just own them.

“We don’t do it for the money, we do it for the love of the dog. Don’t get me wrong, the money is nice, but it’s secondary.”

---