Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Members of local syndicate the Southern Bar Boys added to the atmosphere at Tara Raceway on Sunday – even more so after their greyhound Print The Money made a winning return to the Mount Gambier track.
A long odds-on favourite in the Swallow Drive Meats Mixed Stake (600 metres), Print The Money led all the way from box one for his first middle-distance success over Tee Tee and the fast-finishing Jimary Siesta in 35.53 seconds.
The win was his first since a heat of the 2018 Listed Mount Gambier Cup (512 m) on March 11 when he defeated Swift Limes in 29.68 seconds prior to running a three-length fifth in the final a week later behind Xtreme Caution as a $2.60 favourite.
And Mount Gambier trainer David Williams, back in the sport after a nine-month break, reckons he’s been given a ‘free kick’ on his return, also picking up the consistent performer Cilla Brown who makes up his two-dog team.
“I took over both dogs about a month ago and I have to say my job has been made somewhat easier because of the condition the pair arrived in from Michelle Mallia-Magri (Print The Money) and Tracie Price,” Williams said.
“Print The Money had raced on only 12 occasions since running in last year’s cup final and with a view to the forthcoming Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier Cups I’m hoping he can now get back to something like his best form.
“The main focus, though, is on the Fairthorne Forestry Mount Gambier Cup although at this stage his next start could be at Murray Bridge in order to ascertain whether that track’s cup in early March is a realistic option.”
By Red Lesta – a winner of 22 races for the Southern Bar Boys – out of Rellim Lilly, Print The Money’s 60th start on Sunday brought up win number 16 and took his stakemoney earnings to just over $60,000.
Mind you, it could have been much more but for a nostril defeat in the 2017 Group 1 Hobart Thousand.
Cilla Brown, owned by Williams’ daughter Angela, ran a creditable third in Sunday’s Paraphernalia Mixed Stake (512 m) behind two of Tara Raceway’s best in Azumi Ryder and Cryer’s Plugger, the winner’s time of 29.78 seconds telling the story.