When Taw Major led throughout at Wentworth Park on Thursday night, the dog continued a proud tradition for the Rowe clan and enhanced the remarkable success of the progeny from a puppy which had been purchased to cheer up the family matriarch.
Taw Major's win, in a personal best time of 29.69, was his second from three Wentworth Park appearances and gave his owner Debbie Rowe her first city victory as a trainer.
Earlier in the night, Taw Major's litter sister Best Surprise, trained by Ruth Matic for Debbie's brother-in-law Adrian Rowe, had also led all the way, winning a 520m maiden event in 30.00.
Andrew Rowe, Debbie's husband, said later: "I feel blessed to have been lucky enough to get my hands on Wayang Angel, the mother of Taw Major, Best Surprise, the group 3 Magic Maiden winner Taw Galaxy, and three other successful litters."
"My late father Ernie was passionate about greyhound racing, was a long-term committeeman of the Dapto greyhound club, and reared Fast Sapphire, winner of the 1980 National Sprint Championship, in the backyard of his home on the south coast.
"He also had a lot of success training greyhounds with the Jindalee prefix, named after Jindalee Avenue, Dapto where we lived.
"When he died, our mother Maureen, who is now 91, became very despondent, so my brother Adrian and I decided to buy her a couple of greyhound puppies to take her mind off dad's passing and hopefully to lift her spirits.
"We bought a dog pup called Just Like Stride for $3,000 and his litter sister Wayang Angel for $2,500.
''Just Like Stride turned out the better race dog, winning 14 races and $22,000, but although Wayang Angel only won eight races and earned $11,000, she has become a phenomenal producer.
"I've got no idea how much prizemoney her four litters have won, but they have all been winners and their earnings would be well over $600,000.
"Wayang Angel has now been retired as a brood bitch but her daughter Summer Key has a beautiful 11 months old litter by Feral Franky, being reared for us by fellow trainer Mick Clayton.
"Summer Key was a good race bitch by Fernando Bale who ran 26.39 at Bulli, 29.80 at Wentworth Park and won 16 races for $74,000 prizemoney.''
Taw Major and his litter sister Shadow Line recently returned to Andrew and Debbie Rowe's kennels after spending time with trainer Ruth Matic, who won the Magic Maiden for the couple with Taw Galaxy.
"Andrew was suffering severe sciatic nerve problems and could barely walk so he gave this litter, sired by my old dog Wow, for me to train,'' Ruth Matic explained.
"Because Andrew is on the mend I returned Taw Major and Shadow Line to he and Debbie because those greyhounds are quiet and easier to handle than Taw Galaxy and Best Surprise.''
The Rowe name seems certain to remain prominent in greyhound racing for many years to come, as Debbie and Andrew's children Adam, 31, and 29-year-old Carly, are involved in the sport, with Carly already a winning trainer.
