Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Horsham greyhound Vectis Seyarda, a quick 35.18 seconds 600 metre winner at Tara Raceway last month when a $31 chance, turned in another top performance over the middle-distance at last Sunday’s meeting.
In career-best form, but once again friendless at $15, the four-year-old daughter of Deville and Maureen Return’s chased well backed favourite Solitary Lad for much of the journey, taking up the running off the back before hitting the line strongly for a 5¼ length win over Cryer’s Bob with a further 1¼ lengths back to Solitary Lad, stepping up in distance for the first time.
The time for the Produce Store Mixed Stake was 34.90 seconds and that’s quick – only a length outside McIvor Verna’s track record of 34.84 seconds – although it should be pointed out that the race had been hand-timed.
Vectis Seyarda is owned by Judy O’Neill and Conrad Winfield and trained by the former who is still hoping to be able to find a 732 metre race at Tara Raceway for the black bitch.
In the meantime, Vectis Seyarda will return on Sunday to Tara Raceway where she will meet a smart 600 metre field, which includes former record holder Paraphernalia, in the Produce Store Open.
Incidentally, the Peter Franklin trained McIvor Verna, after a three-month break, returned to racing last Sunday at Sandown Park where she worked home well in the concluding stages of a 595 metre grade five event to be beaten by 2¾ lengths.
Another four-year-old that continues to perform well is Cheyenne Black, raced by Tara Raceway regulars David and Valerie Brodhurst of Serviceton.
Lining up from box one in last Sunday’s Greg Martlew Autos Stake (400 m), Cheyenne Black was always on the pace, taking over the running off the back and going on to an emphatic 5¼ length win over Brinza in 23.30 seconds.
The win was the second leg of a double for the Brodhursts, Swoosie successful earlier in the day in the Winmore Greyhound Kennels Stake (400 m). Swoosie was also part of a double for the couple last month when Two Jobs also won on the same day.
Cheyenne Black, a daughter of Cosmic Chief and Eva’s Flame who went around on 107 occasions, is fast approaching 100 race starts herself, having now won 15 races since relocating to Serviceton shortly after winning the 2015 GRSA/GOTBA Coursing Oaks at Virginia.
And Oh No Beta turned in a top performance in the South Eastern Hotel Open Stake (400 m) when missing the start hopelessly from box eight before quickly rounding up the field and running out a 1¼ length winner in 23.49 seconds.
The son of Lochinvar Marlow x Sometimes Speedy has now won 14 races at the track and distance for Portland trainer Nicole Stanley with last Sunday’s win taking him one point clear of Chilly Kiss in the Mount Gambier Greyhound of the Year.