For the first time since early February when Ashton Sushi had won over 600 metres in 35.20 seconds, middle-distance racing returned to Tara Raceway last Sunday in dashing style following Mepunga Infrared’s win in the Gordon Refrigeration Mixed Stake.
Owned and trained at Portland by Nicole Stanley, the black son of Bella Infrared and Mepunga Molly quickly took up the running from box four before racing away to a five length win over Nova’s Fern who chased the leader throughout.
Mepunga Infrared’s time of 34.60 seconds was the fastest recorded at Tara Raceway over 600 metres since December 4, 2022 when Giant’s Flash broke his own track record of 34.69 seconds with a run of 34.58 seconds.
All told, he’s now raced on 44 occasions, winning five races in Victoria and three for Stanley at Mount Gambier since joining her kennels in the middle of last year.
The David Peckham trained Striking Viking was the inaugural 600 metre record holder after a run on November 30, 2014 of 35.38 seconds.
And for the second consecutive week, distance racing over 732 metres was on the program with Oregon Janet following up with another win for Lewiston trainer Lucas Trengove in the Cadillac Racing Mixed Stake.
The daughter of Malachi and La La Oregon found the front in the home straight the first time around before powering away to a 10 length win over Compton Rocky in a time of 43.57 seconds.
Robert and Shirley Halliday, also from over Portland way, enjoyed a successful day when Way Cool won the Commercial Hotel Stake (512 m). Then, Kazakhstan, owned by Shirley and trained at Berringa by Michael Niele, made it three wins from four starts.
Way Cool, a son of Flying Ricciardo and Miami Fernando, settled in second spot behind Ritza Benji down the back before finishing strongly for a narrow win over the early leader in a time of 29.90 seconds. The win was his first since November last year.
Kazakhstan, a littermate and kennelmate who is raced in the same interests as last Thursday winner Shirl The Whirl, quickly found the front from box one in the Produce Store Stake (305 m) before running out a two length winner over Trial King in 17.45 seconds.
Following his win in the Ontrack Insider Stake (400 m), Gus Limes has now opened up a handy lead in this year’s Greyhound of the Year.
Trained at Mortlake by Peter Crawley for Kevin Bouchier, the son of Aston Rupee and Elle Limes led all the way from box three when defeating Trading Halt by 1¼ lengths in 22.92 seconds.
The brindle dog now has five wins, seven seconds and five thirds at Tara Raceway this year and has accumulated 51 points, 14 more than second placegetter Capybara.