Monday, December 10, 2018
The South Eastern Hotel Social Club struck a top day, weather-wise, and a top 11-race card of greyhound racing when venturing out to Tara Raceway on Sunday for its annual Christmas function.
The fully catered day included TAB and bar facilities while a playground, face painting and Father Christmas kept the younger brigade amused at the complex which, with its magnificent grassed surroundings, has never looked in better order.
In fact, so successful was the day that the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club would probably be well-advised to consider making an effort to attract other social clubs out to its Lake Terrace East venue for a Sunday afternoon function.
The grade five final over 512 metres took the name of the South Eastern Hotel Social Club Stake, many social club members happy to join owner Margaret Cryer and Cryer’s Plugger for a presentation photograph after the brindle dog’s virtual all the way win in a best of day 29.88 seconds.
Cryer’s Plugger was the middle leg of a treble for Apsley trainer Tom Cryer and his wife Margaret – Cryer’s Bob successful earlier in the day over 600 metres and Cryer’s Harper, a 400 metre winner – the couple’s second successive treble after the same greyhounds had also been successful at last week’s meeting.
Cryer’s Bob, by Spring Gun x Cryer’s Midget and a litter brother to Cryer’s Plugger, turned in a brilliant performance to lead all the way in the Metal Worx Mixed Stake, eventually running out a nine length winner over a more than handy performer in Noosa Parade in a personal best 35.15 seconds.
And Cryer’s Harper, by Spud Regis and a younger half-sister to the two previous winners, also led all the way in the Gambier Vets Stake, eventually defeating Chilly Kiss – back after a three-month break – by 3¾ lengths in a quick 23.04 seconds.
Bushfield trainer Gary Lane returned to Tara Raceway on Sunday with one of his own breed in Lena Lake – his last winner at the track being Jersey Miss in a maiden 400 metre event on May 22, 2016.
But he has enjoyed his fair share of success over the years at the local track, not the least being with Miss Jacovella, who ran a record 35.08 seconds over 600 metres on August 14, 2015, and with her litter sister Dee Tee who now has pups 10 months old by Dyna Double One.
Resuming after a three-month injury break, Lena Lake is by Pure Octane out of Miss Jacovella, and a winner at Warrnambool and also at The Meadows where she won two races over 600 metres, prior to Lane recently taking over her training for Koroit owner Mick Walsh who purchased her as a four-month-old pup before rearing her.
Lining up from box eight in the Winmore Greyhound Kennels Stake (400 m), the fawn bitch chased Shady Whip until the home turn before finishing strongly for a 2¼ length win in a smart 23.17 seconds.
Miss Jacovella and Dee Tee, a winner of 16 races, are by El Grand Senor out of Mantra Miss, who in 2010 at Tara Raceway ran a 512 metre track record of 29.80 seconds and a record 44.20 seconds over 732 metres for Lane.
Nicole Stanley scored a good win at Warrnambool on Thursday night with Wanchai Express who, after a slow start, took the shortest way home from box two to score in 25.49 seconds for the 450 metre journey.
And then on Sunday at Tara Raceway she followed up with Dyna Quota, a daughter of Dyna Double One x Jayney Bale, which was having her first start for the Portland trainer.
Jumping from box one in the Produce Store Stake (512 m), the black bitch settled in second spot behind tearaway leader Dad’s Nitro before finishing the stronger in the run to the line, winning by a length in 30.13 seconds.
Dyna Quota, previously a winner at Healesville, Cranbourne and Warragul, is now owned in Victoria by Glen Burns who, according to Stanley, is always on the lookout for a greyhound with ability but one that has fallen foul of stewards due to a racetrack indiscretion.
“In the case of Dyna Quota, in early November she was suspended at Cranbourne for marring,” she said. “Another of his dogs is Sanjiro who went for marring at Nowra in April but last month won at Horsham in 27.16 seconds and more recently was runner-up in a heat of the Ballarat Cup.”
Racing returns to Tara Raceway on Wednesday for a 12-race time-graded meeting prior to the running of the Williams Crane Hire Christmas Cup heats (512 m) and supporting events on Sunday.