The purchase by Edenhope trainer Captain Abbott of a son of Magical Bale and Koa Lass after breaking-in continues to pay dividends at Tara Raceway more than three years later.

Racing as Mister Cadillac, the white and brindle dog – whelped in NSW in January 2022 – kicked off his career at the end of September 2023 at the Mount Gambier track with a second placing.

But he made amends at his second start when defeating Coastal Value over 305 metres. And at last Thursday’s time-graded meeting he brought up his 32nd local win in the Gordon Refrigeration TG5+W Stake (400 m).

Leading all the way from box five, Mister Cadillac defeated Speechless by a half-length in 22.99 seconds. All told he has now raced on 143 occasions for 33 wins (one at Angle Park over 342 metres) and more than $60,000 in prize money.

Mister Cadillac’s sire, Magical Bale, is an Irish greyhound by Zero Ten out of Sizzling Sarah while his dam, Koa Lass, is an unraced daughter of Fernando Bale and Cawbourne Rev.

Magical Bale is also the sire of Magical Ang, winner of the NSW Million Dollar Chase at what was Wentworth Park’s final meeting last Friday night.

In 2024 Abbott shared the MGGRC Greyhound of the Year with Mister Cadillac and Top Cadillac. The previous year his partner Kerry Hawker had won with Nero Valentino. And in 2021 and 2019 Abbott had collected the GOTY awards with Another Pick and Black Spring.

Meanwhile, in last Thursday’s Cadillac Racing Maiden Stake (305 m), Pickle Head opened his winning account for Sandra Elmes and Rick Boehm of Painswick.

Jumping from box two, Pickle Head had run second on debut at Tara Raceway last month. But he never really looked like losing second-up after leading all the way and defeating Black Eye Freddy by two lengths in 18.11 seconds.

By Bernardo, Pickle Head is out of Chic who won 12 races and more than $100,000 in prize money. Elmes and Boehm also race litter brother Mashed Potato who has won three races at the track.

In the final race, the Quickmix Concrete Group TG1-4W Stake (305 m), the Elmes owned and trained Saint Franklin clashed with Mashed Potato.

And it was Saint Franklin, the son of Fernando Bale and Just Mercy turning for home in front before running away to a 3¾ length win over Jimmy The Rat in 17.63 seconds.

After a recent tidy win over 400 metres in 22.95 seconds, Zipping Keys stepped up to 512 metres last Thursday for Ettrick trainer Adrien Chevalier.

Drawn in box six in the Ontrack Insider TG1-4W Stake, the blue brindle daughter of Don’t Knocka Him and 33-race winner Zipping Zarbo led all the way for a four length win over Costly Habits in 30.15 seconds.

Whelped in November 2024, Zipping Keys meets the criteria for the forthcoming Spring Classic (512 m), heats of which will be run at Tara Raceway on Sunday, November 1. The $7000 to the winner final will be run on November 8.

 

Picking up another of the $50 Collins Court Butcher weekly meat vouchers was Hamilton-based Kyle Goodwin after Cheques To Burn won the time-graded 5+ wins stake over 400 metres.

Now a winner of 22 races from 107 starts, the fawn bitch led all the way from box four when defeating kennelmate Myles Keeping by 1¾ lengths in 23.05 seconds.

With Thursday time-graded meetings sorted on a worst to best basis, it goes without saying that in theory the reserve runners, if they happen to gain a start, are the ones to keep an eye on.

Last Thursday two “No. 9” greyhounds gained a start – Trial King in the Produce Store TG5+W Stake (305 m) and He’s A Tycoon in the Federal Hotel TG1-4W Stake (400 m). And they both won.

Chasing his second consecutive win, Trial King – trained locally by Noel Perry – quickly put himself in the race from box seven before running out a five length winner over Kazakhstan in a quick 17.40 seconds.

Also on track was Perry’s daughter Nicola, currently down from Queensland and holidaying with her parents at OB Flat. And, of course, lending a hand with the dogs.

He’s A Tycoon also turned in a big effort for German Creek trainer Kevin Patzel who earlier in the day had won the Commercial Hotel TG1-4W Stake with Slippery Gypxy.

Jumping from box eight, He’s A Tycoon quickly put himself in the race, eventually running out a six length winner over Bourne Reagan in 23.08 seconds.