The Eric Lewis Memorial, first run back in 2014 on Anniversary Cup day, reached a new level on Sunday. This was when the event, for only the second time in its history, was run over 732 metres – and a track record was thrown in for good measure.
And wouldn’t Eric Lewis would have been pleased? After all, he had been a great supporter of distance racing and enjoyed much success with stayers, in particular Kori Arc, a son of Venetian Court x Baratina.
Munno Para owner-trainer Tim Aloisi returned for the memorial with Zipping Neutron, a son of US sire SH Avatar and Zipping Abby. The previous Sunday the fawn dog had won by a staggering 19½ lengths over the 732 metres.
So while Zipping Neutron was always likely to win the memorial, In The Bug, trained at Rowsley by Emily Azzopardi, kept the long odds-on favourite honest in the early stages of the race before he went into overdrive down the back the second time.
On the line the favourite had 11¾ lengths to spare over In The Bug with a further 10½ lengths back to Mick’s Kimmy in third spot. And the winning time of 42.73 seconds was five lengths quicker than Emani Bale’s previous record of 43.10 seconds.
Looking for a staying greyhound, Zipping Neutron was purchased by four-kennel trainer Aloisi and Victorian co-owner John Dimitriadis after they had negotiated with NSW connections – the Hallinan family and trainer Michael Hardman.
“Prior to coming down here to Mount Gambier he had won five distance races in a row at Angle Park. And apart from the fact that we love racing here, the idea was to switch him on at Tara Raceway,” Aloisi said.
“Now we’re looking at the SA National Distance Championship (730 m) at Angle Park on August 10. This will lead into the Group 1 National final at The Meadows on August 26.”
And for Aloisi, last weekend turned out pretty well for the 36-year-old family man who has been involved in greyhound racing for the better part of 10 years – the past four as a trainer.
On the Saturday night Stout Monelli, who he races with Matt Lehman, won a heat of the Sportsbet Grade 5 series (525 m) at The Meadows for Lara trainer Dave Geall.
Then, following Zipping Neutron’s record-breaking win, Aloisi and Lehman were successful with Tara Tears – who has since been sold to Victorian interests – in the Carlin & Gazzard Stake (400 m).
Trained at Trott Park by Damien Bates, the daughter of Goodesy and Freaky Tears had also won the previous week over 512 metres.
“She was one that we chased down to purchase from Michael Ivers of NSW,” Aloisi said. “And it was a case of Damien going out on winner as he is now hanging up the collar and lead for a while.”
Incidentally, the Eric Lewis Memorial once again carried its traditional trophy of a collar and lead, race muzzle and kennel rug.
However, this year the collar and lead was handcrafted by local leather worker and Tara Raceway regular Andrew Earl and kindly donated by Mount Gambier club manager Mark Dwyer.
And representing the Lewis family on track was son Dale, South Eastern Greyhound Racing Club secretary between 1981 and 1983, and his wife Jude.