Noel Perry, Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club president and a long-time member of the charity-driven Tara Tipsters team, scored a fitting win with Rough Boy Russ in last Sunday’s Four Reasons Why Tara Tipsters Cup (512 metres) at Tara Raceway.
Away well from box three for the locally-based owner-trainer, Rough Boy Russ virtually led all the way when defeating Lorraine Goodwin’s Kiwi To Burn by a length in 30.02 seconds.
Bred by Perry, the son of My Redeemer and 13-race winner Vossy has now won three races from 10 starts. And being a September 2022 whelping he should be well placed in the August running of the Winter Classic (512 m).
On track to receive a donation from the Tara Tipsters was Four Reasons Why (FRW) founder Trudi Shelton who said FRW strived hard to provide support, assistance and opportunities to locals in need. All donations stayed local, for locals.
Also receiving recognition at the presentation was Kev Patzel, winner of the past three Tara Tipsters competitions.
Meanwhile, it was also a good day for the locally-based Bartholomew family – Elysia landing her first double with Dug’s Sister and Unique Pearl and father Steve successful with Knight Vader.
Having her first race start, Dug’s Sister led all the way in the Federal Hotel Maiden Stake (305 m) when defeating Pate Biscuit by 3½ lengths in 17.70 seconds.
By Ando’s Mac out of six-race winner Galactic Destiny, Dug’s Sister is from a two-dog litter – her brother never racing after being born with a broken leg.
“He was named Dug and soon found his way into Greyhounds As Pets (GAP). And that’s how Dug’s Sister’s racing name came about,” said Bartholomew who still keeps in regular contact with the people who adopted Dug.
And she book-ended the 10-race program when Unique Pearl led all the way in the Gambier Vets Mixed Stake (400 m) for a 3¾ length win over Mister Cadillac in a personal best time of 22.83 seconds.
“Really, that was quite a remarkable win,” Bartholomew said when referring to the rising 3½- year-old 14-start son of Elite State and Dusty Pearl. “He’s been plagued with injuries to the extent that he came into today’s race off a 231 day break.”
Earlier in the day the Steve Bartholomew trained Knight Vader, who finished down the line on debut, resumed after a two-month break with an all the way win in 17.71 seconds over Intuitive in the Da’Leni Meats Maiden Stake (305 m).
Bartholomew also races Yoda Lady. Currently trained by Lauren Harris at Finniss, the daughter of US sire Blazin Wildfire and 2019 Mount Gambier Cup winner Galactic Athena has won her past four starts over 530 metres at Angle Park.
“She won her heat of the Group 3 Howard Ashton series and now we’re hopeful she can qualify for the $25,000-to-the-winner final,” Bartholomew said.
Bartholomew and close family friend Robert Chuck of Compton, had raced Galactic Athena together. And Chuck knows only too well what it’s like to win a Howard Ashton.
“In 2013, I mated a bitch called Magic Elite with Velocette – one of the resultant offspring turning out to be Galactic Viper who I placed with Victorian trainer Dave Geall,” Chuck said.
“Being SA-bred we decided to have a crack at the 2015 Howard Ashton with him. But things didn’t start out too well when Dave decided to give Galactic Viper a start at Angle Park leading into the Howard Ashton.
“The only trouble was he missed the turn-off to the track and was a late scratching. Anyway, he subsequently made his way through with a couple of placings before winning the final.
“Yoda Lady actually traces back to similar dam lines as that of Galactic Viper and hopefully the Bartholomew family can experience the same thrill I did all those years ago.”
Ray Mahony of Southern Cross was another trainer to land a double – with Sweet Secret and No Strings – litter sisters by SH Avatar out of Zipping Tatum.
Sweet Secret led all the way in the Metal Worx Stake, running out a 4½ length winner over Toot Toot in a quick 22.81 seconds.
Mahony’s the first to admit that he’s had his share of problems with Sweet Secret who was having only her second race start this year – both at Tara Raceway.
“She’s now three years old and has raced on only five occasions,” he said. “And while there’s no doubting her ability, she did pull up at Warrnambool late last year so I’ll probably be trying to get a few more races into her over here.”