You never know what you have got here is a classic photo of Black Diro winning a Juvenile Stake at Sandown in June 1970. In those days Juvenile Stakes were restricted to pups under two years of age and you could win one at every track. Six months later he won the Silver Chief at Olympic Park where he excelled then came out in February 1971 and won the Australian Cup. The Cup was as usual a red hot field. He hung on by a half-neck to beat the brilliant Petite Panther with Sol’s Favourite third. The outstanding Grand Sapper was fifth for Ned Bryant. In a star-studded career he also won the Olympic Park Sprint Championship was a Finalist in the 1970 Vic Peters Memorial Classic at Harold Park won by Shapely Escourt and a Finalist finishing third to Size Seven in the 1970 NSW St Leger over 580 yds at Wenty. He was crowned the Sporting Globe Greyhound of the Year of 1970.
At Stud he was advertised as the best son of Champion Sire Venetian Court. He produced 101 pups. His best pup was Weekly Special he finished second in the 1976 Australian Cup behind Jim Coleman’s champion bitch Odious what a field Ungwilla Lad was third Dynamic Dean was fourth and Leeander Mist unplaced all won Group 1’s. The best of his other pups were Capricorn Gem who won the 1974 Waterloo Cup and Derby on the Coursing. Other top dogs were Scala Red, Red Diro, Cape Soon, Princess Diro, Terrific Gem, Venetian Diro and Hard To Name. Also, pictured in the front yard of their home is his owner-trainer the late Tom Bleazby and his wife. He was one of ten pups in the litter bred by the legendary Freddie Booth.
Jon Roberts – I was there the night he won the Australian cup
Edwin Caruana – Jon Roberts Me too Jon great memories for us oldies and fantastic historical information for the younger generation of greyhound people. Thank you Neil.
Coral Scott – It was always said that Tom picked smallest one he felt sorry for…pop
Coral Scott – One of the worlds gentlemen had more winners from a small amount of dogs had a hi high ratio of winners worked with him in the fifties a real friend…pop
Wayne Gummow – I was 14 yrs old standing near the 560 boxes and remember Black Diro out railing Petite Panther on the home turn and going on to win the Australian Cup and as he was being walked back to the kennel block Tom Bleazby stop and I got to pat Black Diro, a big thrill for a 14 year old boy
Alan Marum – Tom had a brother tobblack diro that was a very handy dog…
John Reid – Thanks for the memory Neil,Mr Bleazby was a great mate of our dad,when I grew up he said to me Johnny you’re now a man please call me Tom.
Mick Fearnley – I was hiding in the dunnyl listening to his Australia Cup win. My parents weren’t into racing and that’s ok
Jarrod Sharp – Thanks Brown man for these great story’s Lot of effort and very appreciated
Stanley Young – Raced a pup by Black Diro out of a bitch called Diro Babe ( Called it Double Diro) won his first trail by 12 lengths, his second trail a mile in front and broke down badly , never had another dog
Doug Scott remarked – Tom got more winners from few runners than anyone I know and was a true gentleman miss him greatly.
