Three grade 5 heats, all run in the 29.80s over 512 metres at Tara Raceway the week prior, resulted in a terrific Metal Worx final being decided at last Sunday’s meeting.
In fact, such was the evenness of the final field, only one heat winner – Anna Force – finished in the placings when running third behind Lochinvar Pearl and Aston Hornet in a best of day time of 29.87 seconds.
Anna Force, trained at Mortlake by Peter Crawley, had created plenty of interest at Tara Raceway since December 29 when winning six races in succession before handling the rise in class pretty well in Sunday’s final to be beaten only 2½ lengths.
In the end, though, the result turned out to be something of a family affair for Compton trainer Tracie Price after Lochinvar Pearl led all the way from box two for a 1¾ length win over Dustin Drew’s Aston Hornet.
By Fernando Bale out of Sorry Scott, Lochinvar Pearl found her way into Price’s kennels in early October after having won seven races at Dapto, Wentworth Park, Richmond and The Meadows.
But a frustrating run of injuries kept the white and brindle bitch out of the winner’s list until early February when she opened her winning account for Price’s daughter Sarah, son Ben and Garry Harding who is like one of the family, anyway.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, 14-year-old Tess Byrne of Koroit handled her first winner at Mount Gambier when Shaker Sticker was successful in the Carlin & Gazzard Stake (305 m).
Always on the pace from box seven, the black dog finished strongly in the home straight and brought up his third win for the month – two previously at Warrnambool – when defeating Harry Chana by a length in 17.88 seconds.
Shaker Sticker, a son of Mepunga Cruzer and Kissing Carter, won on debut at Geelong over 400 metres in May last year. He raced again the following week but was then off the scene until early this year.
In the meantime, a couple of months ago he was advertised for sale on Greyhound-Data and purchased by Garry Elliott of Southern Cross for $1000. Tess’s mum Narelle then took over the training.
And the final race on last Sunday’s 10-race program was the Todd’s Photographics Masters Stake (305 m) – for greyhounds 3¾ years and older.
The interesting runner was of course the Cape Clear-based Mr. Beets who at start number 67 was chasing his 35th win and $143,940 in prize money for owner-trainer Gary Peach who was also chasing his first win at Tara Raceway.
It was the Masters race that had encouraged Peach back to Tara Raceway for the first time since July 2021 given this format is not run in Victoria and Mr. Beets is a rising 4½-year-old.
And the son of Bernardo and Mother Hannah couldn’t have been more impressive when quickly finding the front from box six before running out an eight length winner over Paw Some Storm in 17.38 seconds – not far outside the track record of 17.28 seconds.
Of interest is that Mother Hannah was bred by Peach and is by Barcia Bale out of Weeping Lass, a daughter of Lonesome Cry and Amado who achieved tremendous results for the breeder-owner-trainer when mated almost three years later with Aston Dee Bee.
The star of the Aston Dee Bee litter was Silver Brute who won 63 races and $297,260 in prize money.
“Silver Brute’s greatest asset was his early speed. He could really get out of a box,” Peach said. “And winning the Pink Diamond at Ballarat was one of his highlights.”
Others in the litter included Action Girl (50 wins) and $236,375 in prize money, Mobile Legend (20, $190,685), Struck Gold (19, $63,685) and Slick Lass (11, $33,973).
Meanwhile, GAP SA representatives were at Tara Raceway on Monday to assess greyhounds with a view to rehoming.
Four local trainers presented dogs for assessment under the watchful eyes of French Bulldogs – Cash and Layla – on hand to make sure the greyhounds behaved themselves. A further session took place on Tuesday.
GAP SA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to finding homes for both retired and non-racing greyhounds. GAP SA also educates the public in regard to the gentle nature of the breed.