“I’m still young enough to travel and that’s what I want to experience,” said Trackside TV presenter Elizabeth Whelan during the last Auckland greyhound meeting she’ll attend at the Manukau Stadium for the foreseeable future on Sunday.
Pictured: Liz Whelan was farewelled at the Manukau Stadium on Sunday afternoon where Auckland Chairman John Roberts acknowledged the valued contribution that Liz has made to the greyhound code
Liz has been in her Trackside presenting role for the last five and a half years, with the greatest portion of that time specializing in the greyhound code. It had been virtually a lifelong goal for her to sit in front of the racing cameras.
She recalls how an introduction to the racing industry as a four year-old led to her future career role within racing. “I have been going to the races for as long as I can remember. I recall Mum and Dad taking me to the Waverley races when I was four. I remember marking out a trifecta where the horses I took ran first, second and fourth – I was gutted, especially as my uncle picked that trifecta.
“I used to listen to races during the Radio Pacific days and I guess it was when I was ten, watching Trackside TV, I decided I wanted a presenting role on the channel. I qualified as a lawyer, spent a year working in law, then I saw an ad on Trackside when they were looking for new presenters. I applied and got a presenting job.
“I had what a coffee meeting with Mark Rosanowski (Roso), which turned into a full on audition. It went very well. It was Roso, Peter Earley and Brian Martin who all really helped me during those earlier days. They were awesome in the support they gave me.
“I had been living in Wanganui with my parents and used to go to the greyhounds at Hatrick – it was the cheapest venue in Wanganui to drink at,” she chuckled, adding, “I pretty much got hooked on greyhound racing straight away. It evolved from being with greyhound people at Hatrick and then at Manukau and then getting an owing share in a greyhound.”
Liz Whelan, along with Pete Earley launched the greyhound news/magazine program, Dogzone, on Trackside TV. She has maintained her anchor role on the program throughout, most recently hosting the twice weekly show with Roso. “The best part of being on Dogzone was being able to tell other people’s stories. It has been nice being able to share in and celebrate people’s successes,” she added.
Elizabeth Whelan in her Dogzone anchor presenting role on Trackside TV; her Dogzone co-host in the early days was Pete Earley, who called the Good Luck Liz Whelan Stakes on Sunday – as usual Earley dropped in one of his classic one liners during his race commentary, saying when the Carolyn Hore trained Hey Pretty Girl hit the line, “Hey Pretty Girl wins I think she’s named after you Lizzie”; Liz then made the race presentation to Carolyn Hore; Liz also presented the trophy to Tracy Craik after Just One Smile won the day’s feature Founder’s Day Trophy event
Asked what she feels was the biggest advancements made by the greyhound code during her time at Trackside, Liz didn’t hesitate when saying, “The increase in stakes levels across the board has been great to see. It is also exciting to see new people being introduced to the code via syndication. The greyhound code is so accessible and affordable.”
She has raced numerous greyhounds over recent years. “I have to rate Triple Parked (trained by Steve Clark) as the best dog I have raced. Her win of the Misty Anna Classic final (Manukau, 527m) was very exciting. My favourite dog is Lover (trained by Angela Turnwald) – he’s such a big loveable puppy, plus he also made a Railway final (Group1),” she advised.
Liz Whelan’s biggest race win as an owner came when Triple Parked won the 2016 Misty Anna Classic final at Manukau – she’s pictured here with Kath Wilson following that win, along with an earlier Manukau 527m win by Triple Parked; she says Lover has been her favourite greyhound, Liz is pictured here following a recent Hatrick 305m win by Lover
“I have loved my involvement in greyhound racing. People in the code are so infectious. I’m very grateful of all the industry people who has supported me and especially for those who freely made themselves available for interviews with me,” she added.
Liz Whelan also served for a period of time on the Wanganui GRC Board, when commuting from her Auckland base to attend meetings. Along with others she was also instrumental in getting the exciting Amazing Chase series off the ground in this country.
“I’m going back to my parents place in Wanganui for a couple of months before going overseas. I’m currently doing an online English language course with the view of teaching English as a foreign language overseas. Maybe I’ll look at doing that in Japan – it seems to be a good way to see the world,” she suggested, while adding, “I love greyhound racing and maybe I’ll come back to it one day in a working role.”
Liz Whelan see here interviewing Canterbury owner/trainer Norm Wanhalla; Liz pictured here with Sandown Park racing and media manager Mick Floyd, with the prized 2015 Melbourne Greyhound Cup; Liz is also an accomplished piano player – she’s pictured here when playing the piano during a Melbourne Greyhound Cup media luncheon
The long and short of it all! Liz Whelan was pretty adaptable when seen here conducting a Trackside TV interview with Mark Rosanowski; Liz participated in a harness race challenge match at the Manawatu Raceway; Liz is known for enjoying having the occasional flutter on the tote – this was one of the more successful days for her seen here with Manukau regular and major Auckland GRC sponsor Roy Thomson from Plasterboard Ltd
By Peter Fenemor
