2016 Warragul Cup Countdown – 1984 winner Chariot Supreme


As we countdown to the 2016 Warragul Cup, Bridget Scott caught up with Kevin Richards to have a chat about his success in 1984 with Chariot Supreme.

 

ONE of the state’s leading dog trainers and stud masters has reminisced on his career highlights and reflected back to where it all began, as the Warragul Greyhound Club prepares for its sixtieth cup later this month.

Kevin Richards, whose professional career began in 1981, has shared some of his fondest memories of the sport as well as some precious memories from his time in the industry.

Kevin said that he always had a passion for greyhounds, but said there was one man in particular that he can attribute some of his involvement to.

“Eric Ross, he was a leading trainer in the earlier days in Victoria, and I went and worked with him on the weekends and before work,” he said.

“I learnt from him from around the age of 17.”

Kevin said he had always been interested in gambling, but never had any luck with the horses or on the trots.

“I realized you can’t win unless you’re in the know.”

The former trainer admitted it was harder than he thought, but he didn’t let this stand in the way of his success.

Throughout his long career, there was one dog in particular which the Warragul Greyhound Club life member will always reflect upon most fondly.

In 1984, Richards purchased Chariot Supreme for a businessman in Traralgon, and proudly contributed to what would be years of success for the dog.

The dog managed 19 wins from 30 starts and was only unplaced three times. He later went on to be a leading stud dog for seven years. He is buried at the Warragul Greyhound Club after passing away on 15 December, 1992.

Kevin admitted it would be fair to say he was just as successful as a stud master as a trainer, and recalled Chariot Supreme winning the Warragul Cup in 1984 as the finest moment of his greyhound career.

“The biggest thrill I got was winning the Warragul Cup – it was my hometown and I was a committeeman of the club and Vice President for 10 to 12 years,” the Mornington man said.

Kevin said he had always wanted to take home the Warragul Cup, and got much pleasure out of winning it again two years later with Chariot of Gods, Chariot Supreme’s son.

He said it was fantastic to see Chariot Supreme’s first litter have such great success, including dogs Shining Chariot and Light of Fire. He added that it was this litter’s accomplishments which really helped to establish Chariot Supreme as a champion stud.

As an added bonus for Kevin, his success in the greyhound industry was also shared with his wife, Robyn.

“She looked after the pups,” he said.

The pair were able to enjoy plenty of triumphs in their greyhound racing career, including the moment when Chariot Supreme was inducted into the Victorian Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame.

Kevin said this was a “hugely emotional” moment for both of them.

Now retired from training after winning every country cup, the dog owner admitted he was “too old and too lazy” for the industry anymore.

The famous greyhound pair will be at the Warragul Cup on the 22nd of this month, after being unable to attend the past few years.