Last Sunday turned out to be an enjoyable day at Tara Raceway for a bus-load of members of the Millicent Grand Hotel Social Club – many taking in a greyhound racing meeting for the first time and also suitably impressed with the clubhouse’s recent renovations.

Incidentally, the official opening of the new-look clubhouse will take place at an official ceremony on Sunday, April 6 to coincide with the running of the Cadillac Racing Group 3 Mount Gambier Cup final (512 m).

As far as the social club was concerned, it was race five, the Metal Worx Stake (400 m) that set the scene for a really special day – thanks to Coleraine owner-trainer Bob Wombwell and his greyhound Eskimo Moana who was chasing her first win since last July.

She was the $100 winner mentioned in the Tankman story but last Sunday was her first race start since last September when she had been beaten by 26 lengths.

But form obviously didn’t mean too much to the social clubbers who had obviously been taken in by the huge odds on offer for Eskimo Moana, previously a winner of two races.

While it didn’t take the daughter of Sennachie and Serene Rose long to settle on the pace, the run home had the visitors out of their seats as the white and black bitch, Wind Whiskers and Mish Chanel fought out the finish.

And in a magical conclusion to the race – well, as far as the Grand Hotel Social Club and a few other punters were concerned, anyway – Eskimo Moana got up with a neck to spare in 23.30 seconds.

Actually, the whole day turned out to be a grand occasion for the group who after the obligatory photograph on the track surrounds promised to return.

“In fact, we might even make this an annual event,” was the consensus of opinion.