PINO DeLuca...

The old bird specialist for season 2006, with a total of 224 points in the VRPU aggregate....

Pino races under the name of Silent Wing Lofts, with the Pascoe Vale club... He first started flying with the Keilor club ( Western Pigeon Federation) in 1983, has had pigeons since childhood ., his passion has only grown over the years. He has always been fascinated by the homing abilities of his pigeons and the fact that you are able to set them free and they will return home to you..

His first taste of success was actually his first race, winning the club, which consisted of about 23 flyers, (he would have won the fed if it had been a fed race.) He still remembers the race, from Trewalla on the west track winning with a blue chequer hen doing 1051...

Pino believes dedication, and a love for his birds and knowing how to understand them and read their behaviour is the key to his success. His advice to anyone starting with pigeons is his firm belief that it is best to allow the pigeon to develop its own natural immunity.

Last year   Pino won the VRPU averages missing the record( held by Vince Cannizzo) by just 2 points. In his racing career he has won a very admirable 30 x1st Feds!! In 2001 he won the prestigious  WPF  $10,000 breeders plate, with a pigeon purchased from one of the WPF breeders Plate sales. Bred by a VHA flyer at the time, Mr Norm Boon.

The predominant strains in his loft are the good old "Aussie"  bloodlines, with a couple of good Van Loons thrown in. He considers them  good crosses..

Pino's aspirations for pigeon flying are , to fly the best he can and hopefully break more records....!!

Congratulations on an excellant years flying , Pino, and good luck for the coming old bird season.