In some ways it was a sliding doors moment for Tess Simmons, one which has led her to a runner in Friday night’s $25,000 Ladbrokes Bidgee Cup final at Wagga.
It was back in 2018, and after almost a decade working in numerous roles at Greyhound Racing NSW, Tess had been informed she was being made redundant.
“Many years ago my parents had owned dogs with Don and Mary McMillan, so I used to handle a lot, and I used to spend school holidays and weekends out at their place. So I did learn a lot with Don McMillan and also with Jason Magri.
Tess Simmons (R) with Player One and Bryce Ellis (L) after winning the MDC Regional Final at Richmond in September
“Anyway, I always had that interest and as I said I had handled dogs for trainers, and things like that, but with work (at GRNSW) you can only do one or the other, and I just was more interested in the commercial and corporate side of things. But, then I was made redundant, and I thought: “I know, I’ll buy a dog.””
The dog Tess bought was a four-month-old pup she would name later Incapacitated who went on to win 24 races including the Group 2 Richmond Derby and the Group 3 Christmas Gift at Wentworth Park, and earn more than $150,000 in prizemoney, before beginning a stud career once retired.
“I was very lucky with Incapacitated,” Tess says.
“I’ve got about 25 in the kennel, but seven of them just went to be broken in so the kennels are quiet at the moment. They're another litter by Incapacitated. The mother is Little Whitey who is a litter sister to Jungle Deuce (2021 Greyhound of the Year).
Tess Simmons alongside Incapacitated
“I don’t have any real standout champions in the kennel, but they seem to be going alright and you've just got to make sure you place them right.”
One of those is Player One, an impressive Bidgee Cup heat winner last Friday who Tess will be hoping can deliver another feature win for her and owner Bryce Ellis tonight.
“I think she'll improve. She's the sort of bitch that needs to take a couple of looks at a track. We have just got to hope for a bit of luck at the start. She's not the best beginner.
“It would great to win the race for Bryce and (his wife) Tara. Bryce is just the easiest person to train for, he’s so chilled. They are a great couple Bryce and Tara, and we’ve been friends for a few years now, not just with greyhounds but to out and go the football and things like that. It's not just all business, it’s a friendship.
“And that’s why it would be a big thrill to win the Bidgee Cup especially for Bryce and Tara. They've had a few dogs over the years, but this is probably the best bitch that they have had.
“Bryce and Tara and their kids are all going down there for the race, so hopefully it will be a huge night for the family.”
Victorian couple Correy and Samantha Grenfell will be chasing their fourth Cup in five years tonight and are represented by heat winners Paw Vortex and Orli Bale, as well as runner-up Eco Bale.
The couple won the Cup in 2021 with Yozo Bale, and both editions of the 2022 Cup with Vayda Bale, when the Cup had a change of slot in the calendar.
Fastest qualifier is local hope Total Faith for Alan Clare who clocked 29.94s in winning his heat, and has drawn perfectly in box 1 for the final.
