THURSDAY, MARCH 27 (Time-Graded): Nominations closed. SUNDAY, MARCH 30: Cadillac Racing Mount Gambier Cup heats. Nominations close at 9 a.m. (SA time) on Tuesday, March 25 with GRSA. THURSDAY, APRIL 3 (Time-Graded): Nominations close at 9 a.m. (SA time) on Monday, March 31 with GRSA. SUNDAY, APRIL 6: Cadillac Racing Mount Gambier Cup final. Nominations close at 9 a.m. (SA time) on Tuesday, April 1 with GRSA.
WEDNESDAY (9.30) AND SATURDAY (9.00) TRIAL MORNINGS/FOUR-DOG PUPPY TRIALS: For bookings please contact Tim Manterfield (0400 269 765) before 4 p.m. on the day prior. SATISFACTORY TRIALS: For bookings please contact Barry Shepheard. INTERIM CLUB MANAGER: Tim Lewis 0407 974 471.
CATCHERS AVAILABLE: Trainers are advised that Zari and Bayle Newman, when in attendance at race meetings, will be available for catching duties.
NO TRIALS: TRAINERS ARE ADVISED THERE WILL BE NO TRIALS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 29 AT TARA RACEWAY.
SUNDAY’S DA’LENI MEATS MEMBERS MEAT TRAY DRAW: Ralph Patzel (No. 8).
Former The Border Watch general manager Tim Lewis last week assumed the role of Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club (MGGRC) interim club manager.
This follows the recent resignation of Mark Dwyer, who had been the MGGRC club manager since December, 2021.
In the mid-2000s, Lewis, 56, was the general manager of the Scott Group of Companies (media division) which incorporated The Border Watch, South Eastern Times and Penola Pennant.
And later he took over the role of general manager of the Fairfax Media Western Victoria/SA region which incorporated the Warrnambool Standard, Moyne Gazette, Wimmera Mail Times, Ararat Advertiser, Stawell Times, Naracoorte Herald, Border Chronicle and Kingston Leader.
Tim Lewis has been appointed the interim club manager at the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club.
He also served on the executive of Country Press SA as well as the committees of the Mount Gambier Racing Club and the West Gambier Football Club.
It could be said that Lewis, now living back in Mount Gambier with wife Tammy, had been born into greyhound racing – his great-grandfather Perce Alsop president of the SA National Coursing Association (NCA) when greyhound racing commenced in the early 1970s.
In fact, it was in 1971 that the SA Government passed legislation to allow legalised betting on greyhound racing with the NCA initially the controlling body of the sport.
Lewis raced greyhounds at Glenburnie with Aranile defeating Lichine in a heat of the 1992 Mount Gambier Cup. Two days later she then ran fourth to Bert Hogan’s Mick’s Devil in the final.
Fast forward four years and he bred the winner of the final Mount Gambier Cup run at Glenburnie – Colin Ian – raced by Col and Ian Sims. By Red Region, which Lewis had part-owned, the winner was out of Aranile.
Then, in 2003, by which time greyhound racing was well and truly up and running at Lake Terrace East, Mel’s Son won a Mount Gambier Cup Consolation in 30.54 seconds.
Speaking this week, he said there had never been a better time to conduct a Mount Gambier Cup with the clubroom renovations all but completed and the track and surrounds in excellent condition.
“Also, it seems to me that given the trainers who are now going out of their way to support Tara Raceway, the quality of greyhound racing here has never been better.
“And while I couldn’t have taken over at a busier time, it will be good to be back for the Mount Gambier Cup and Calcutta which have a history dating back to 1981.
“It’s also pleasing to see all the cup winners – from both tracks – being acknowledged on a feature wall display.”
