Rising Star: Carlin Wendt's Greyhound Success

The New Force in Greyhound Racing

At just 26 years old, Carlin Wendt is making waves in the competitive world of greyhound racing. After transitioning from owner to trainer, Wendt has established a thriving kennel at Postmans Ridge and is enjoying the most successful month of his young career, proving that passion and perseverance can create champions on the track.

From Owner to Trainer: The Wendt Journey

Wendt's passion for greyhound racing began three years ago with the purchase of chaser Zipping Peewee. This dog won 17 races and ignited Wendt's deeper involvement in the sport. "I always seemed to have good success with the dogs that I owned and that made me keep going," Wendt recalls. "It snowballed from there."

Initially sending dogs to established trainers, Wendt eventually decided to take the plunge himself. Mentored by conditioner Ricky Hassall and working at the iconic Postmans Ridge facility, Wendt absorbed invaluable knowledge before launching his own kennel in February 2025. "Ricky taught me basically everything I know," Wendt explains. "I was blessed to work for people like Ricky who have been in the industry for a lot of years."

A Kennel on the Rise

Currently overseeing 15 greyhounds at Postmans Ridge, Wendt aims to expand to 20 dogs soon. His kennel has hit a prolific patch recently, with five winners in just one month – including a remarkable trio of victories in 48 hours at The Q (Queensland Greyhound Racing Club).

Among these stars are Chill Pill Jill, Lucora, and Super Wine, all triumphing from the four alley. Lucora stands out as the kennel's most successful performer to date, earning $16,455 in stakes with six victories and four minor placings.

"I had been around the dogs since I was really young, but I didn't have anything directly to do with them until recently."

Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities

Wendt continues his momentum with two key runners this week. Chill Pill Jill faces a tough race at Q2 Parklands on Sunday, featuring dogs trained by Travis Elson and Tom Tzouvelis. "They are always hard to beat," Wendt notes. "If she comes out well from the red and finds the front, she will run well." Akela Long Shot, returning from injury, will race on Monday at Q Straight. "He is coming back from an injury so he will go up the straight to get some fitness back into him," Wendt explains. "He is a good dog when he is on and anything can happen."

The Greyhound Legacy

Wendt's connection to greyhounds runs deep, with his grandmother Helen previously training a kennel of dogs. "I recall being around her chasers when I was about five years of age," Wendt shares. This family legacy, combined with his recent successes, positions Wendt as a trainer to watch in the Australian greyhound racing scene.

As Wendt continues to refine his methods and expand his stable, the greyhound community eagerly anticipates what this young talent will achieve next. His journey from owner to rising star exemplifies the dedication and skill that define the sport's best.