Hamilton trainer Tony Harding continues to do well with Penshurst Lass, his pint-sized 22 kilogram blue bitch making a real mess of the opposition when winning the Metal Worx 5+W Stake (400 metres) by nine lengths at Tara Raceway last Thursday.

Even better was that long-time mate and part-owner, Dennis Peach of Hamilton, had made it to the track to finally see his dog run. He couldn’t have picked a better day.

Penshurst Lass, who has now raced on 75 occasions for six wins and eight minor placings, is owned by the Blue Syndicate, which comprises Peach and Doveton-based Cathy Flahavin. She is their first greyhound.

“By Lightning Frank out of Jimary Siesta, we purchased her as a pup for $2000 from Penshurst breeder Brendan Bunworth,” Peach said. “Then we placed her with Michael Niele at Berringa for rearing before she was broken-in at Koroit by Peter Byrne.”

And Peach, something of a Hamilton legend back in the 80s, didn’t need much encouragement to re-tell the story of the Argyle Arms Hotel and the quarter horse.

“Admittedly, I’d had a few but I still remember the night I rode my quarter horse through the front bar of the Argyle Arms.

“The next thing I know the police have been called and I’m being marched down to the police station. But it never went much further because it seems the police had no idea what to charge me with.”

Sticking with the Penshurst theme and long-time breeder-trainer John Cameron landed his first double last Thursday when litter sisters Agnes and No Joke were successful in 1-4 wins events over 400 metres.

By Lightning Frank out of 12-race winner Fascinated – a daughter of Hutmaker and Spellbound – Agnes led all the way in the Greg Martlew Autos Stake when defeating Myola Frost by a neck in 23.79 seconds.

And No Joke put in a solid effort to win the Hyland Fox Stake by 2¼ lengths over Zambora Jade in 23.51 seconds.

For both greyhounds it was a case of bringing up their second wins, Penshurst-based Cameron conceding that it hadn’t been all plain sailing with the pair.

“No, I have to admit there had been times when I had my doubts as to whether I would ever get them going. But one thing’s for sure, they definitely race better here at Tara Raceway behind the finish-on-lure,” he said.