I FOR one was chuffed to see Crumble Monelli lead throughout to win Friday night's inaugural running of The Sandgroper for Dave Hobby at Cannington and land the $300,000 winner's cheque.

I immediately wondered what the after-race press conference would be like.

Dave unfairly copped it a while ago from those running racing in WA stood by the "woke wankers" who would at one time shut down Perth when just two people showed symptoms of what is no more than a flu.

Dave Hobby was pilloried for his anti-vaccine stance during the "great Covid con" and was forced out of greyhound racing for a time. He could easily have walked away from the industry and who would not have blamed him.

But Dave is made of sterner stuff than that.

He's back and Team Monelli is going great - Crumble Monelli landing The Sandgroper by almost four lengths, leading throughout, is testimony of that.

Now that I've had my own rant, I will get back to greyhound bloodlines.

Crumble Monelli is Barcia Bale-Flake Monelli by Fernando Bale.

He's already proven himself a star before The Sandgroper. That glamour race added to victories in the G2 Birthday Cup, WA Puppy Classic, Canning Trophy and Dorsa Memorial.

In 20 starts to date, he has won 14 and been placed five times for earnings now of $442,000.

Dave Hobby was one of the first to try the Barcia Bale/Fernando Bale mix and proved it quickly. The rest of the world followed and it is now a "nick" proven to the highest level throughout the country.

Dave proved it early days with Group stars like Mermaid Monelli, Werewolf Monelli, Redcap Monelli, Pixie Monelli, Chimera Monelli.

I notice Dave has used Pixie Monelli to his own former sprint star Sunset Spitfire (Mepunga Blazer-Sunset Jessie).

It is a pedigree worth its weight in gold.

It brings in a 3x3 double of Barcia Bale at the top and bottom of the pedigree and this is a VERY proven theme. Token Prince, Worth Doing and Gun Law Osti are just three examples of this 3x3 theme being successful.

But, Sunset Jessie is bred on the Fabregas/Collision cross both of them hugely proven with Fernando Bale (sire of Pixie Monelli). And, Sunset Spitfire is from the same direct female family at champion WA galloper Tommy Shelby who just happens to be by Fernando Bale (sire of Pixie Monelli).

There are so many proven crosses in the pedigree…well, it's amazing.

Crumble Monelli's dam Flake Monelli won 30 races and $200,000 as a top class stayer.

She carries a 3x3 cross of Rosemary Bale and Sarina Bale who are virtual sisters. No wonder, Flake Monelli has produced a superstar like Crumble Monelli.

The pedigree of Crumble Monelli does not show intensity until we get to distant relatives on the fifth, sixth and other lines, but so much of this pedigree rests with the strong reinforcement of the Wheeler family's famed direct damline to Gail's Beauty.