Flying the flag for the Owen-based Pidgeon kennels at last Thursday’s time-graded meeting at Mount Gambier’s Tara Raceway was Michaela who had been standing in for husband Gary.

At the track for the first time, it took her only to race four, the Trackside Pet Meats TG5+W Stake (305 metres), to bring up the 40-dog kennel’s first win – with Mafia Mistress.

Only fairly away from box one, the giveaway daughter of Shima Shine and Ava Herrera had worked to the front turning for home before holding out Aston Ramona to win by a head in 17.84 seconds and bring up her sixth win.

Then, later in the day in the Sealeys Springworks TG1-4W Stake (305 m), Pidgeon landed another head winner in the form of Chivas Lady who quickly found the front from box two before holding on to narrowly defeat Saint Kylie.

Also, a giveaway and domiciled at Owen prior to naming, Chivas Lady – so named because of her sire Hooked On Scotch – has now won three races, two previously at Angle Park, from only six starts.

Speaking after the Pidgeon kennel double, Michaela said their best greyhound following an involvement in the sport of close to 30 years had been Universal Lady.

“By World Title out of Winning Magic, she raced in the early 2000s and from 88 starts won 32 races and more than $52,000 in prize money. Actually, we’ve been breeding ever since and are still looking for another Universal Lady.”

Berringa trainer Michael Niele continued his good run at Tara Raceway’s Thursday meetings after Kazakhstan won the Cadillac Racing Maiden Stake (305 m) on debut with a three length win over Cadillac Express in a smart 17.57 seconds.

Raced by Shirley Halliday of Portland, the brindle dog is a son of Feral Franky and Darryl’s Dream and boasts some outstanding bloodlines.

While Darryl’s Dream’s only four race starts resulted in minor placings at Casino, her litter brothers Amron Boy and Amron Dan – by Zambora Brockie x Miami Fernando – respectively won 22 races and $674,000 in prize money and 17 races for $186,000.

And later in the day, Kazakhstan’s litter sister Speechless led all the way in the Pindari Express at Stud TG1-4W Stake (305 m) and made it a double for Niele and Halliday when defeating Linda Lou by 2¾ lengths in a quick 17.40 seconds.

Another trainer to land a double on the day was Tim Richards of Meningie after Flash Gordon and Jazzy Boo were successful in the Icon Signs TG5+W Stake (305 m) and the Federal Hotel TG5+W Stake (305 m).

Flash Gordon, a son of Flying Ricciardo and Gold Burner, led all the way from box four and held on to defeat Aston Jimena by a nose in a time of 17.74 seconds.

Jazzy Boo was also always on the pace from box one with the daughter of Barcia Bale and Cruise Mode holding out Bulsara for a length win in 17.62 seconds.

Meanwhile, Edenhope trainer Kerry Hawker finally broke through for her first win with Oregon Caldwell, or Freckles as he is known around the kennels.

The win was the son of Need My Moneynow and La La Oregon’s first since Hawker – the white and brindle dog’s sixth trainer – took over his preparation in October last year.

Away well from box one in the Gordon Refrigeration TG5+W Stake (400 m), Oregon Caldwell never looked like being beaten when leading all the way for a four length win over Red To Burn in a personal best time of 22.79 seconds.

Also back among the winners last week was another giveaway greyhound in Lektra Lee, a maiden winner prior to being taken over by long-time hobby trainer John Cameron of Penshurst.

By Plaintiff out of Lektra Viki, Lektra Lee quickly knocked up a win for his new trainer in early February but it wasn’t until last week that the black dog again found winning form.

Drawn in box one in the Quickmix Concrete Group TG1-4W Stake (400 m), he quickly found the front and never looked like losing when running out a 3¼ length winner over Aston Deutz in 23.17 seconds.

Then a couple of nights later at the Saturday Meadows meeting in Victoria, litter sister Lektra Isa was successful over 525 metres for Toolong owner-trainer Phil Lenehan who also bred the litter.

And Lenehan was also over at Tara Raceway the following day with another of the litter in Rocky Ray who defeated My Mate Robbie by three-quarters of a length in the Cadillac Racing Stake (305 m) in 17.62 seconds.