Representatives of the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group were out in force at Tara Raceway last Sunday to support the running of a Tara Tipsters grade six race over 512 metres which preceded the presentation of a donation to their local charity organisation.

The Cancer Support Group helps people with cancer and their families who require financial support. And it is one of a number of local charities that the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club supports on an ongoing basis through its Tara Tipsters initiative.

Instigated some five years ago by Kevin “KD” Douglas, the Tara Tipsters comprises a group of local greyhound racing followers who donate a few dollars each week to the charity jar while attempting to outdo one another in the Thursday and Sunday tipping competitions.

Each series runs for a couple of months and concludes with representatives of the local designated charity attending a Sunday race meeting at Tara Raceway where a race is run in the charity’s name prior to a donation being presented.

From small beginnings, the Tara Tipsters competition has grown considerably with these days not only the tipsters contributing to the charity jar but also other racegoers.

The Tara Tipsters race last Sunday attracted a good field with only a half-head separating the winner and runner-up, Aston Girl and Bomb Rocky. Mind you, at odds of $51 and $71 it could be said the race didn’t go quite to plan!

Both Aston Girl and Bomb Rocky were mid-field down the back straight before finishing powerfully in the run home in a time of 30.38 seconds. And a further two lengths back in third spot was Lektra Jane – an $18 chance.

By Aston Fastnet out of Aston Corinna, Aston Girl, who won her maiden over 450 metres back in May at Ballarat, was bred and is owned in Adelaide by Ray Borda. She is trained at Winslow by Jon Malone who has had the brindle bitch in his care for all of her 15 starts.

“There have been a few injury problems with her along the way and as a result so far she certainly hasn’t had all that many race starts but I was really pleased with her effort today over 512 metres,” Malone said.

“Also, I have to say how impressed I was with the Mount Gambier Club’s handling of its charity presentation today to the local Cancer Support Group.

“Let’s face it, our sport needs all the favourable publicity it can get and it was terrific to see representatives from a Mount Gambier local charity out here and really enjoying the day.

“I’d certainly like to see something similar to what the Mount Gambier club is doing here in relation to its charity initiative instigated on some of the Victorian greyhound tracks.”

Aston Girl was the second leg of a double for Malone who had been successful in the first race, the Carlin & Gazzard Maiden Stake (305 m), with Seized Assets, a daughter of Fernando Bale and the SA-bred Quinnish.

Initially trained at Ross Creek by Mark Johnson, Seized Assets was always on the pace before defeating Fishy Fisher by a nose in 18.34 seconds.

And joining Aston Girl in making for a good day for the Aston dogs were Aston Gleam (Christian Roberts), Aston Sushi (Dave Green) and Aston Darwin (Kev Patzel).