Resilience, Recovery, and Racing Excellence
The 4th Tintinara 10 Bird Hens race was a showcase of grit, preparation, and the power of recovery. Only one three-year-old pigeon made the top 10, proving that experience can still shine in a field dominated by vibrant young hens. The headline belongs to M & N Ciancio, whose phenomenal three-year-old blue bar hen (WPF-22-1059) not only overcame a rota outbreak earlier this year but also delivered the fastest velocity of the season to claim the coveted federation win [1].
This remarkable hen is now a triple federation hen—having placed in the federation top spots three times, including last year’s 600-mile event where she was met for 3rd home, producing an equal valiant second federation position. She is a true champion, and what’s more, her personality is simply outstanding. There’s a photo of her with Matt’s daughter in her study, and you have to wonder—is this Matt’s competitive advantage?
He teaches his pigeons how to navigate, and it’s truly a family affair. Awesome effort, Matt!
Breeding: Chadwick Jansen / Silver Shadow X Hardy KrugerÂ
Race Details & Prize Money
- Liberation Time: 7:00am (WPF News)
- Distance: 480km from Tintinara
- Birds Sent: 523
- Flyers Participating: 51
- Total Prize Money Paid: Over $1,500 distributed across sections [1]
- Sponsor: Special thanks to A Portelli for supporting this week’s race and making these prizes possible!
Top 10 Federation Winners
| Position | Name | Section | Birds Sent | Velocity | Prize Money | Pigeon Details (Ring/Year) | Champion Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M & N Ciancio | Metro-2 | 10 | 1705.127 | $144.00 | WPF-22-1059 (3yo Blue Bar Hen) | Quadripple Federation Hen, 4th home in last year’s 600-mile, equal 2nd federation; 12th Fed P Osullivan in 23; 10th Fed Produce [1] |
| 2 | Huang & Zheng | Metro-3 | 10 | 1690.215 | $178.50 | GIPP-24-1955 (Young Hen) | Consistent performer [1] |
| 3 | Smith & Zheng [J. Smith] | Metro-3 | 10 | 1690.204 | $107.10 | WPF-24-15265 (Young Pied Hen) | Depth and reliability [1] |
| 4 | D & G Vatzakis | Metro-1 | 5 | 1685.614 | $114.00 | WPF-24-1921 (Young Hen) | Small team, big results [1] |
| 5 | Tenaglia Bros FMLY CS [Marc] | Metro-1 | 10 | 1684.373 | $68.40 | WPF-24-8315 (Young Hen) | Consistent performer [1] |
| 6 | J & M Portelli [Michael] | Metro-3 | 9 | 1681.723 | $71.40 | VHA-24-2654 (Young Hen) | Reliable flyer [1] |
| 7 | S & M Mifsud | West | 10 | 1681.015 | $139.50 | WPF-23-4438 (Grizzle Hen) | Section winner [1] |
| 8 | Alex Diaz | South West | 10 | 1678.355 | $149.85 | WPF-24-13705 (Young Hen) | Young flyer making waves [1] |
| 9 | Cachia, Holwell & Cini | Metro-3 | 10 | 1675.431 | $63.22 | WPF-24-3960 (Young Pied Hen) | Consistent [1] |
| 10 | Pierre Anastasi | Metro-2 | 10 | 1671.816 | $86.40 | WPFC-23-68 (Young Hen) | Always competitive [1] |
Section-by-Section Analysis
| Section | Winner | Birds Sent | Prize Money | Federation Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro-1 | D & G Vatzakis | 5 | $114.00 | 4 | Small team, big results [1] |
| Metro-2 | M & N Ciancio | 10 | $144.00 | 1 | Triple Federation Hen [1] |
| Metro-3 | Huang & Zheng | 10 | $178.50 | 2 | Consistent performer [1] |
| West | S & M Mifsud | 10 | $139.50 | 7 | Section winner [1] |
| South West | Alex Diaz | 10 | $149.85 | 8 | Young flyer making waves [1] |
| North West | Trevor Webb | 8 | $84.00 | 32 | Every section can produce top flyers |
Matt Ciancio: A Champion’s Story
Matt’s journey this season is nothing short of inspirational. Early in the year, his loft was hit hard by rota virus, threatening his chances for the major races. Through expert care and unwavering commitment, Matt nursed his birds back to health. His three-year-old hen not only survived but thrived, posting the fastest velocity of the year and winning the prestigious 10 Bird Hens race—a true highlight of the WPF calendar [1]. Her championship pedigree and gentle personality make her a standout, and her bond with Matt’s family is a reminder that pigeon racing is truly a family affair.
Wrap-Up & Encouragement
This Tintinara race was a showcase of resilience, preparation, and competitive spirit. With 523 birds and 51 flyers, every section delivered outstanding performances. The diversity of winners across sections and the federation proves that every flyer has a chance to shine.
Congratulations to all our winners and participants! Next week brings another opportunity—will your loft be the one to soar to new heights? Keep training, keep believing, and let’s make the next liberation another race to remember!
Teaser: Next Week’s Double Challenge!
Get ready for a weekend of epic racing:
- STRAIT LINK BASS STRAIT CHALLENGE – 6th September, 2025 (Yolla): The longest sea race in the world! Will your birds conquer the mighty Bass Strait?
- MEADOWS ONE LOFT RACE CHALLENGE – 6th September, 2025 (Murray Bridge): The next leg up in the West Track racing series—who will rise to the challenge?
Stay tuned, keep your birds in top form, and see you at the next liberation!