It’s not too often that Cap Abbott and his trusty offsider Kerry Hawker – based at Edenhope’s Cadillac Kennels – miss the twice-weekly race meeting schedule at Mount Gambier’s Tara Raceway. And that’s been the case for a number of years.

As the soon to turn 83 Abbott tells it, his association with greyhounds first came about in his early teens in Melbourne where on a daily basis he would exercise a few greyhounds for a trainer and be rewarded with a couple of pounds a week.

“And in my early 20s I became more involved with greyhounds when renting a property at Dandenong where I reared and trained a few while working as a panel beater. Actually, a dog called Grand Brigadier had given me a good start in the game,” he said.

But in September 1972 a litter by Gabriel Mist, a highly influential imported sire, out of Metal Joey, a daughter of Keen Metal and Russkar, would later present Abbott with his biggest success in greyhound racing.

“At four months of age one of the litter, a fawn bitch, was sold for $80 to Mary Knight in New Zealand where the pup was reared and subsequently raced as Kwik Metal. But later, Mary had been keen to send her back to Australia with a view to contesting the Melbourne Cup.

“As luck would have it, I was offered Kwik Metal to train when she returned. And in 1974 she reached the final of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park with Mary flying over to watch the race,” Abbott said.

A 7/2 chance in the final, Kwik Metal came with a great run down the back straight after being well back early. She subsequently dashed to the lead and won by two lengths from Miss Alliance with Flash Gordon a further 2¾ lengths back in third place.

Favourite in the race was Temlee who raced on 37 occasions for 25 wins and three minor placings. Upon retirement from the track he sired 735 litters. Later, Kwik Metal was mated with Temlee –Abbott training one of her pups in Neerim Belle, a Warragul Cup heat winner.

But later a house fire, which resulted at one stage in the family living in caravans, put paid to Abbott’s involvement in greyhound racing, temporarily at least.

“Relocation to Dingee, 50 kilometres north of Bendigo, then resulted in me milking cows for the next 20 years.”

It’s now been 22 years since Abbott shifted to a six acre property at Edenhope. Six years ago, Kerry Hawker, a former steward at Glenburnie greyhound meetings and later a greyhound owner, joined him at Edenhope.

“Kerry’s been a great help with the dogs since she’s been out here,” he said. “Cadillac Kennels now comprises 60 kennels, a greyhound education circuit and long runs. Actually, it’s a really good set-up.”

Abbott has featured in the Tara Raceway top 10 trainers since 2017. Then, in 2022, Hawker took out a trainer’s licence with the pair training a total of 61 winners.

The following year they combined to train 133 winners. In 2024 the tally was 94 and last year 71. So far this year they have a combined total of 30 winners at Tara Raceway.

In 2019, the Abbott trained Black Spring won the Mount Gambier Greyhound of the Year award with 74 points. He was successful again in 2021 with Another Pick who accumulated 72 points. And in 2023 the Hawker-trained Nero Valentino was the GOTY with 75 points.

The following year the Abbott-trained pair of Mister Cadillac and Top Cadillac shared the GOTY award with 57 points.

In more recent times he rates his best greyhound as White Arrow, the daughter of Tina’s Jo and Cape Arrow racing between 2009 and 2012. All told, she won 25 races at Mount Gambier,
Warrnambool, Angle Park, Horsham, Sandown Park and The Meadows.

Cadillac Racing also threw its support behind the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club in 2024 and 2025 when taking on a major sponsorship role.

These days, the Cadillac team mainly race their greyhounds at Tara Raceway’s Thursday time-graded meetings and Sunday Category 2 meetings. Mind you, Abbott is still not averse to putting in the odd hard yard or two.

“If another good one happens to come along then we’ll go anywhere to race,” he said.

It’s fair to say that Dimora Bernie had set herself a fair task a couple of weeks ago after finishing fifth in a first round heat of the Tri-Distance series (512 metres) and picking up four points for a fifth placing.

But a 10 point return when winning a second round heat over 305 metres ensured the daughter of high profile sire Tommy Shelby a place in last Sunday’s $3000 final over 400 metres at Tara Raceway. And even better, she drew box one.

Bred and owned at OB Flat by Kevin Bouchier, Dimora Bernie was away well from the inside, and down the back opened up a handy break early over Way Cool and Rivia Umiko.

And in the run home, the blue bitch, trained at Allendale East by David Peckham, held off a fast finishing Way Cool to win by a half-length in a personal best time of 22.91 seconds with High Cube a further 3¼ lengths back in third spot.

Both minor placegetters are by Flying Ricciardo out of Miami Fernando and are owned and trained at Portland by Robert Halliday.

Dimora Bernie, whose dam Dimora Flash won 12 races at Tara Raceway, has now raced on 21 occasions for eight wins at the local track for prize money of close to $10,000.

The story goes that, as a pup, Dimora Bernie – a February 2023 whelping – had been patriarch Bernie Bouchier’s pick of the pups. However, Bernie had died at 74 in the following January. And when the time came for the pups’ naming, son Kevin went with Dimora Bernie for the blue bitch.

The win in the Trackside Pet Meats sponsored Tri-Distance series brought up a treble for Peckham who earlier in the day had been successful with My Mate Robbie in the Trackside Pet Meats Pick 6 Stake (512 m) and Lenny Limes in the Federal Hotel Stake (305 m).

My Mate Robbie, a son of Fernando Bale and Grace Ali, brought up his fifth win from nine starts when leading all the way from box two for a two length win over Bomb Rocky in 30.00 seconds.

And the Bouchier-owned Lenny Limes found the front turning for home with the son of Aston Rupee and Elle Limes eventually running out a 2½ length winner over Aston Sushi in a time of 17.69 seconds.

Siring his first winner last Sunday was Giant’s Flash, the son of Banjo Boy and Navada Flame winning 26 races and still the Tara Raceway 600 metre record holder with a time of 34.58 seconds which he established in December 2022.

The winner was Cinta’s Me Mum, a daughter of Spot On Cinta. Having her fourth start on the back of two third placings and a last start second, she found a bit of trouble in what ended up a three-dog race due to scratchings.

But the Tracie Price trained black and white bitch finished strongly in the run home for a half-length win over Nulla Our Prize in 18.30 seconds in the Ferness @ Stud Maiden Stake (305 m).

The win also kicked off a good day for the Compton-based trainer who followed up with a further three winners – Pinky Rocks, Compton Lass and Held For Ransom.

Pinky Rocks (Tommy Shelby x Rock It Barcia), who went close to the 400 metre record 10 days ago when winning in 22.54 seconds, led all the way in the Metal Worx Stake (512 m) for a two length win over Weblec Polly in 29.54 seconds.

In the Ontrack Insider Open Stake (305 m), Compton Lass (Aussie Infrared x Banjo Lass) led all the way from box two when defeating Kazakhstan by 4¼ lengths in a quick 17.31 seconds.

And in the Greg Martlew Autos Stake (305 m), Held For Ransom (Bernardo x Dyna Quota) quickly found the front from box five before running out a 2¾ length winner over Shanny Rose in 17.55 seconds.

Meanwhile, the last time Murray Bridge trainer Terry Daly had been successful at Tara Raceway had been on Anniversary Cup day last year with Pin Up. Close to a year later he was back again with the in-form Pure Gout who contested the Carlin & Gazzard Stake (400 m).

The 23.8 kilogram pint-sized daughter of Fernando Bale and Nangar Diva – a winner of 20 races and $140,000 in prize money – went into the race on the back of four wins at Angle Park. And jumping from box two, the black bitch led all the way for a half-length win over Aston Deutz in 23.12 seconds.

It was another big day at the track last Thursday for Meningie trainer Tim Richards following his third treble at Tara Raceway this year. Big Diesel, Mr. Oberon and Ritza Wotton were successful on February 8 while Jazzy Boo, Big Diesel and Ritza Wotton all won on May 3.

And while Big Diesel had figured in the first two trebles, he also added to Richards and his partner Tanya Bialek’s successful first six months at Tara Raceway when winning the May Trackside Pet Meats $10,000 Autumn Classic over 512 metres.

Last week’s treble – all giveaway greyhounds – kicked off in the Cadillac Racing TG1-4W Stake (305 m) when Pressure Point led all the way from box two and defeated Puddin’ Cake by three lengths in a time of 17.77 seconds.

By Barcia Bale out of Cruise Mode, the 27 kilogram fawn dog is now a winner of four races from 28 starts – one up the 300 metre straight at Murray Bridge and three at Mount Gambier.

Extravagantly looked well placed in the Gordon Refrigeration TG1-4W Stake (400 m) and that’s how the race played out when he led all the way from box one for an 8½ length win over Misty Autumn in 23.42 seconds.

Also a winner of four races – all at Mount Gambier – the son of Zambora Brockie and Auspicious Queen is a litter brother to the Victorian-based Zambora Bliss, a winner of six races and more than $43,000 in prize money.

And bringing up Richards’ latest treble was Jazzy Boo, a litter sister to Pressure Point. The fawn bitch, also a winner at Angle Park and Murray Bridge, has now won 14 races.

Jumping from box one in the Sealeys Springworks TG5+W Stake (305 m), Jazzy Boo led all the way for a 2¼ length win over Rough Girl Slim in 17.61 seconds. Richards, a long-time regular at the track, has trained 30 winners this year at Tara Raceway.

Mortlake trained greyhounds Ringer’s Girl and Henry Bale fought out the finish of the Ontrack Insider TG5+W Stake (305 m) for Peter Franklin – his last local winner Dell Mister on April 9 – and Shaun Baulch.

Ringer’s Girl, a daughter of Aston Rupee and Two Phones brought up her 12th win after quickly finding the front from box one and defeating 114-start veteran Henry Bale by two lengths in 17.54 seconds. The pair had both last won over 390 metres at Warrnambool on May 4.

For Baulch, last week had been a case of chasing his first Tara Raceway winner since October 2022 when he had been successful with Mrs. Watson.

The 4½-year-old Fantastic Ada, owned at Murray Bridge by Becc Weinert, and trained by David Peckham of Allendale East, posted her 26th win at start number 95 in the Federal Hotel TG5+W Stake (400 m).

By Superior Panama out of Fantastic Flossy, the brindle bitch went straight to the front from box four and opened up a handy break over Magic Nancy who was having her 110th start. And despite finishing strongly, the Dean Fennell trained black bitch failed by a half-length in 23.44 seconds.

Meanwhile, at Angle Park on Thursday night, Statue Of Time made his way through to the final of the Bay Road Queen Stayers Cup (730 m) after running a 2½ length second to Lil Rex for local trainer Tracie Price in the second of two heats.

First run in 2018 over 731 metres, the inaugural Bay Road Queen was won by the Kim Johnstone trained Legit Boss. Last year’s winner was Miss Mary Jo, trained at Warrnambool by Colin Kelly.

And at Murray Bridge on Friday night, Penola trainer Stuart Sharam continued his terrific run with Poke Salad Annie who was racing for the first time away from Mount Gambier.

Lining up from box seven in the Spry Civil Construction Stake (455 m), the daughter of Bernardo and Reinforcements quickly found the front and from then on never looked like being beaten. On the line she had 2¼ lengths to spare over Lockerbie in 25.73 seconds.

Whelped in October 2023, Poke Salad Annie has raced on only 10 occasions for an outstanding record of seven wins and two minor placings.

Members of the Sharam family came from far and wide – including NSW-based Wilcannia and Ivanhoe – last weekend to celebrate Raelene Sharam’s 80th birthday in Mount Gambier.

And the family had been hopeful that Raelene’s son, Stuart, who is based in Penola, would have a greyhound racing at Tara Raceway on the Sunday, thereby giving them the opportunity to spend an afternoon at the dogs.

As it turned out, he was at the track with wife Pat, son Liam and their greyhound, the Peter Carter owned Poke Salad Annie – perhaps named after the classic song that is “steeped in southern roots”.

By Bernardo out of Reinforcements, the black bitch lined up from box four in the Ontrack Insider Mixed Stake and was stepping out over the 512 metre journey for the first time since the end of April.

But the result was never really in any doubt with Poke Salad Annie leading all the way and defeating Weblec Polly by 2¾ lengths in a personal best time of 29.60 seconds. Whelped in October 2023, she has now raced on only nine occasions – all at Tara Raceway – for six wins and two minor placings.

And that was a good way to wrap up a weekend of 80th birthday celebrations.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, two second-round 305 metre heats of the Trackside Pet Meats sponsored Tri-Distance series were decided prior to the running of the eight-dog 400 metre $3000 final this Sunday.

In the first heat, Dimora Bernie, owned locally by Kevin Bouchier and trained at Allendale East by David Peckham, led all the way from box two for a three-quarter length win in 17.53 seconds over Kia Keeping. A further 1¼ lengths back in third spot was Way Cool.

By Tommy Shelby out of Dimora Flash, Dimora Bernie went into last Sunday’s short-course round with only four points after the running of the 512 metre distance the previous week. But 10 points for the win saw him safely into the final.

The Simson-based Rivia Umiko, trained by Jaz Blake, advanced to the final after being the only runner to win heats on both days and collect 20 points. The daughter of Fernando Bale and Rivia Bale led all the way when defeating Oregon Caldwell and High Cube.

So, following two weeks of Tri-Distance heats, Rivia Umiko 20 points, Kia Keeping and Way Cool 16, Dimora Bernie and High Cube 14 and Oregon Caldwell 12 were all safely through to the final.

But with two more finalists still required, there remained three runners in the mix on 10 points – Bali Unleashed, Bomb Rocky and Trading Halt. And as stipulated in the conditions of the event, a ballot was conducted by GRSA stewards on Monday morning to determine the final two runners.

Bali Unleashed and Trading Halt subsequently were drawn into the final while Bomb Rocky and Duran Rachel are now the reserves for the Blake family of North Bendigo.

For Peckham, last Sunday turned out to be one of his better days for a while at Tara Raceway when My Mate Tex kicked off the trainer’s day with a win on debut in the Cadillac Racing Maiden Stake (305 m).

Jumping from box five, the blue dog settled in second spot before taking the lead off the back before running out a 1½ length winner over kennelmate Bourne Reagan in 17.85 seconds.

Owned by his breeder, Noel Mugavin, My Mate Tex is by Fernando Bale out of Grace Ali, a winner of 21 races and close to $240,000 in prize money.

And following the Tri-Distance heat success, Peckham brought up a treble with another Bouchier-owned dog in Lenny Limes in the Williams Crane Hire Stake (400 m).

Away well from box three, the son of Aston Rupee and Elle Limes never looked like being headed when leading all the way for a 3¼ length win over Velaris in a tidy 22.91 seconds. The win took his record to seven from 15 starts.

The win also gave Peckham his best day at Tara Raceway since early June last year when he landed a treble with Aston Chief, Aston Azul and Bourne Sarah.

Last Sunday’s meeting included eight 305 metre races with the Tracie Price trained Flying Hugo taking the time honours with a run of 17.32 seconds when defeating Aston Torta by 3¼ lengths in 17.32 seconds in the Metal Worx Open Stake.

Then, in the Klaassens Contractors Stake (400 m), the Price-trained pair of Canya Feel It and Compton Banker fought out the finish with the former scoring by a half head in 23.04 seconds.

According to Painswick owner-trainer Rick Boehm, the pint-sized 22 kilogram giveaway Little Button had been a real problem dog after his partner Sandra Elmes took over her training some six months ago.

“To be honest, Little Button had been something of a psycho upon arrival. She had a real attitude problem, barked all day and wouldn’t chase the lure. In the end we sent her off to be broken-in again,” he said.

Whelped in April 2024, the black daughter of Aston Rupee and Limit Switch finally made her racing debut at Tara Raceway on Thursday, May 21 when running third, beaten 8¾ lengths in a personal time of a steady 18.66 seconds.

The following week she ran fourth behind Our Girl Selkie, well beaten but running considerably quicker in a personal time of 18.38 seconds. Her third start resulted in running a time of 18.17 seconds and finishing a 1¾ length second to French Blonde.

Lining up last Thursday from box eight in the Gordon Refrigeration Maiden Stake (305 m) as an $11 chance, Little Button flew the boxes and was never headed when defeating Cinta’s Me Mum by 1½ lengths in a personal best time of 17.95 seconds.

“She’s still got a bit of an attitude problem,” Boehm said following the win. “But when you put the work in and get rewarded it makes you feel the effort is all worthwhile.”

Her litter of three also includes Tripped Out, the black dog owned by the breeder Michelle Nolan and trained at Devon Meadows by Natalie Presutto. He has won three races at The Meadows, three at Sandown Park and one at Geelong for prize money of $62,000.

Meanwhile, later in the day Boehm and Elmes also combined to win the Trackside Pet Meats TG1-4W Stake (400 m) with Miracle Man, a son of My Redeemer and Avatar Minty.

Miracle Man led all the way from box one and never looked like being beaten when running out a 4½ length winner over Saint Ella in a personal best time of 23.19 seconds. The win was his third in succession at the track and distance.

Lady Tsunade, who won her maiden over 305 metres at Tara Raceway back in February for North Bendigo owner-trainer Aaron Blake, brought up her second win in last Thursday’s Quickmix Concrete Group TG1-4W (305 m).

The daughter of Hooked On Scotch and Adelong led all the way from box five when defeating Moonlight Nellie by 1¼ lengths in 17.59 seconds which was one of the faster times of the day.

Lady Tsunade is from the first litter of Adelong who in 2022 won 10 races for Blake at Tara Raceway over 400 m, 512 m, 600 m and 732 m. She has a litter to follow by Christo Bale and was recently mated with Hector Fawley.

And bringing up her first win this year for Glencoe trainer Dean Fennell was Compton Layla in the Sealeys Springworks TG5+W Stake (305 m).

It was a case of the daughter of Feral Franky and Galactic Horizon setting up the win at box rise after flying the lids and leading all the way for a 1½ length win over Duran Rachel in 17.75 seconds.

Compton Layla’s last win had been in early November while last Thursday had been her first success over 305 metres. All told, Fennell has now trained 24 winners at Tara Raceway this year.

Bringing up his 32nd win from 137 starts for Edenhope owner-trainer Captain Abbott was Mister Cadillac. The 4½-year-old son of Magical Bale and Koa Lass railed well on the home turn and defeated Major Queen by 1½ lengths in the Outback Insider TG5+W Stake (305 m) in 17.61 seconds.

On Thursday night in Queensland, two of Major Queen’s brothers in Winsome Jet and Winsome Rambo – now with prize money earnings of more than $230,000 and $71,000 respectively – won heats of the Flying Amy Classic (520 m).

The pair of blue dogs, by Tommy Shelby out of Princess Kiwi, will now contest the $225,000 Flying Amy Classic final on Thursday night.