Kleinhans on a magical ride with Mystical Lulu

By Alex Nolan

After more than 20 years in greyhound racing, Burpengary trainer Karen Kleinhans says she has never experienced the ride she’s currently on with Mystical Lulu.

The 22-month-old Sennachie bitch will attempt to record her sixth win from as many starts when she lines up in the fifth-grade final over 331 metres at Albion Park on Sunday, where Kleinhans will be nervously watching from the stands.

Mystical Lulu has shown tremendous box speed at all six race starts to-date and Kleinhans expects she will need every ounce of it when she faces her toughest test from box eight.

“She has brilliant box speed but she’s up against some good ones this week,” Kleinhans said.  

“We’ll just cross everything I’ve got and hope she gets around safely again.  

“She is still learning but she has taken to things pretty quickly and she knows she’s out there for a reason.”

Kleinhans and husband Lester purchased Mystical Lulu from good friends Brian and Cathy Baker, who bred the youngster from their 21-time winning speedster Wheatacre.

The trainer admitted she was too nervous to handle Mystical Lulu prior to her first start over the 288 metres at Ipswich so left the task to Baker.

“I won’t change anything I’ll let Brian handle her ... that’s a winning combination,” she said.

“I’ll stay up in the grandstands and have a hissy fit.

“As a trainer I have trained three winners in-a-row, but never five, and my husband hasn’t either.

“There’s something special about her.”

Kleinhans said Sunday’s race, where Mystical Lulu will face the likes of slick 331 metre performers Grand Nando – who she beat home in 19.02 seconds last Sunday - and Roan’s Reward, shapes as a pivotal moment in her career.

“I’d like to step her up to the 500 metres because I’m not a great fan of the shorts … but we’ll know a lot more after Sunday,” Kleinhans said.

“We could even set her for The Lightning.”

Put simply, Karen and Lester love their greyhounds.

Their retired chaser Stubborn State, who won 14 from 54 between 2016-18, still lives with them at home.

Their more recent star performer, Waikerie Bell, has been sidelined since May and Kleinhans said she was undecided if she would make a return to racing.

“She had an injury then came on season,” Kleinhans said.  

“She has started slipping but she might not come back.

“She won me my three-in-a-row over 710 metres and Magical Revival won on one of those nights to give me a Thursday night double.

“But for me, I just love the dogs. Everyone says ‘think of the money’ but it’s not about money to me. I just love them.”