Princess Pups Produce ‘Master' Class

WHEN Gayle Masterson called time on the career of her pride and joy Knight Sprite in November 2017 it left quite a void.

Quite understandable given his heroics on the track over a sustained period.

Winner of 34 races and a cool $238,000 in stakes during his distinguished career, Knight Sprite, or Ollie as he's more affectionately known at home, gave Masterson the absolute ride of a lifetime at each and every one of his 99 starts.

Winner of the Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup and Richmond Derby in 2016, the son of Magic Sprite went on to finish third to Moreira in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, and after enjoying another spectacular year on the track, buttered up for his Gosford Cup defence in 2017, finishing a courageous second in the final.

And while Knight Sprite was taking NSW greyhound racing by storm, his less decorated litter-sister Nyxie was nestled away at Masterson's Hexham base, retiring with the modest record of just the three wins from 40 starts.

But right the way through Masterson had the inkling that Nyxie would more than likely make a far greater contribution off the track than she did on, and in late 2017, at the time of Knight Sprite's retirement, ‘Princess' had a three month old litter of six pups to Barcia Bale on the ground.

Two of that offspring, namely Gilded Lady and Knight's Page, now 21 months of age, landed impressive victories for Masterson this past fortnight and are seemingly on the cusp of very bright futures.

"I'm just so proud of the both of them, they're only 21 months old but they are doing everything so professionally, I couldn't be happier," said Masterson in the aftermath of Gilded Lady's sizzling 29.60 Ladbrokes Gardens victory on Friday.

Just 24 hours earlier, Knight's Page ran second at Maitland in an interference marred race, a week on from scoring at the venue over the 450m in a slick 25.16.

"Gilded Lady's quicker early and Knight's Page is stronger at the finish – there's not a lot between the two of them overall but the best thing about them is they are doing everything right at a young age.

"Of the four in the litter to race, three of them have two wins and three placings and the other has placed at both his starts. Danielle Swain has the other two and they are coming along well, I couldn't be prouder of Princess (Nyxie), she's proving to be a great mum, I just love her."

Not one to get too carried away given their tender age, Masterson told the Recorder she'll take the slow and steady approach with the exciting duo, including a return to Maitland and Ladbrokes Gardens respectively this week as they look to continue their upward spiral.

"I don't want them racing each other so I'll break them up and stick to what's been working," added Masterson.

"Knight's Page really gets the white line fever when he gets on the track, he's that full on I can't handle him, my good friend Anne Foley does that for me as I have a sore knee as well. I can't thank her enough for all her help.

"For Gilded Lady to run the time she did on Friday at just her fourth 500m attempt was fantastic. I got $19.00 about her the morning of the race which was nice, the week before she got her muzzle stuck in her mouth and she trialled well as well so I knew she'd run a good race.

"The whole litter were beautiful big pups right from the start, she weighs in at almost 30 kilos and the dog is 34 kilos.

"I know I'll never get another one like Ollie but these two pups have me really excited, still being six months or so away from their best."

And with Knight Sprite living the life of luxury up in sunny Hexham, Masterson has recently made the multiple group race winner available to breeders at the price of $1,100 GST.

WATCH: Knight Sprite's 2016 Richmond Derby victory

"Yes, he's available to breeders," added Masterson of the 34 race winner, boasting tremendous bloodlines.

"We can do natural services as well with him so hopefully breeders make use of him. He knows he's retired now but he's still the king of the kennels. We let Princess go last time but she'll be on season again in six months' time and depending how things are we might breed with her again. David Brasch thinks Aston Dee Bee will click so we might go that way if Wayne and I decide to breed.

"But she won't be going anywhere else I can promise you that; she gets spoilt like you wouldn't believe.

"They all do."