Berringa trainer Michael Niele landed his fourth Tara Raceway treble this year when Nicked Again, Fernando Lee and What A Wrought were successful at last Thursday’s time-graded meeting.
But the difference with Niele’s multiple successes last week was that his three winners were all from the same litter, being by Fernando Bale out of Acoustic Lee, a well-bred daughter of Brett Lee and Magic Earner.
Nicked Again, raced by Brendan Brady, kicked off the day well with a 9¼ length win in the Williams Crane Hire TG1-4W Stake (305 metres) and took his record at the track and distance to four starts for four wins – this time in a personal best 17.55 seconds.
And in the Todd’s Photographics TG1-4W Stake (305 m), the Shaun and Terry Wilson owned Fernando Lee recorded a big 6½ length win over Pate Biscuit in 17.79 seconds.
Wrapping up Niele’s big day was the Brady-owned What A Wrought in the Produce Store TG1-4W Stake (400 m). Away well from box two the black and white dog was never headed when defeating Rough Boy Russ by 1¾ lengths in 23.31 seconds.
Earlier trebles this year for Niele had been Sherry Cherry, Cherry Time and Bridgewater Bob in April. Then in June, Fernando Lee, Rusty Wheels and Nicked Again were successful prior to What A Wrought, Fernando Lee and Cherry Eminem later the same month.
As far as Koroit trainer Peter Keane and his Many Winners Syndicate mates are concerned it’s been a good month with their 4½-year-old greyhound Popcorn Miss – a daughter of Zambora Brockie and Sisco Sizzle – who brought up her third win in the space of a month at Mount Gambier.
And last week’s win in the Greg Martlew Autos TG1-4W Fast Forward Stake (400 m) really topped off the month after Popcorn Miss stormed home out wide to defeat Phantom Carat and Compton Layla by the narrowest of margins in the $1550 final.
In the race prior, the Klaassens Contractors TG5+W Stake (512 m), the margin was much the same, a head by a head separating Compton Franky, Compton Rocky and Cadillac Patch.
Owned and trained at Glencoe by Dean Fennell, Compton Franky – a son of Feral Franky and Perseverance – opened up a handy break down the back before holding on for the narrowest of wins in 30.29 seconds.
But back with Keane, who together with Lindsay Brookes, Bev Keane, Gary Thomson and Graham Dix, had purchased Sisco Sizzle for $4500 at the 2016 Bendigo Ready2Race Sale.
A daughter of Barcia Bale and Sisco Power, she went on to race on 20 occasions for four wins at Warrnambool as well as running five minor placings. Later, she was mated with Fernando Bale, Thirty Talks and Zambora Brockie.
Meanwhile, 24 greyhounds were assessed for Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) last Friday in the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s outstanding facility on Lake Terrace East by Adelaide-based GAP Manager Jemma Nicholson.
She said the majority of greyhounds – under the watchful eye of Layla the French Bulldog – had been “green collar assessed” and were now available for adoption.
“Often referred to as ‘couch potatoes’, greyhounds are gentle animals who thrive on human companionship. And we’re sure you’ll fall in love with your new family member who will provide a lifetime of happiness,” Nicholson said.
The next GAP day at Tara Raceway is still to be confirmed.
And making a welcome return last week to a Tara Raceway Thursday lunch and afternoon race meeting were a dozen or so members of Mount Gambier’s Country Health Connect’s Rainbow Club – some even enjoying a flutter on the TAB.
“On behalf of the Rainbow Club I’d like to thank the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club for making us feel so welcome at what was a terrific day out for us all,” said Country Health Connect’s Nicole upon departure.