Among those in attendance at yesterday’s Tara Raceway meeting were a couple of long-time local stalwarts in Noel Miller and Bill Ward – both members of the South East Greyhound Racing (as it was then known) committee back in 1979 when racing commenced at Glenburnie.
Later, Miller was president of the club between 1986 and 1988 prior to being awarded life membership in 1995. Ward served as president between 1991 and 1997 and received life membership in 1997.
But Miller was back yesterday as a participant, chasing his first winner since July 2015 when Rellim Jill had won her first two starts at the local track before being transferred to Adelaide where she won a further nine races.
It was a decision by Miller back in 2020 to purchase a couple of pups in partnership with local business identities Peter Lamond (the Commercial Hotel) and his daughter Gail Richards (Key 2 Sale Real Estate) that ultimately led to yesterday’s return.
“I eventually settled on a couple of Victorian-bred pups by My Redeemer out of Black Pontiac, a winner of 13 races and $22,000 in stakemoney.
“Normally, I would have then brought the pups home and reared them here. But what with Covid and border restrictions we settled on leaving them with Brian Sellick in Victoria at Tooradin until 12 months of age,” Miller said.
Making her debut for the trio in yesterday’s appropriately named Commercial Hotel Maiden Stake (400 metres) was September 2020 whelping Key To Success – her trainer heading to the boxes with his first runner in close to seven years.
Only fairly away from box four, Key To Success quickly worked into second spot behind the speedy Rosa Matisse before checking off heels of the leader. But she overcame the setback, moving out to take the lead turning for home before running out a three lengths winner in 23.61 seconds.
It was a good win. And Miller, connected with his fair share of smart greyhounds over the journey, was suitably impressed.
“She had been trialling quite well at Tara Raceway,” he said. “With no field experience, though, it’s always a worry. And after she checked herself off the back I thought that would be it. But I couldn’t be happier with the way in which she handled herself.”
For Lamond, a Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club sponsor through the Commercial Hotel, Key To Success is his first involvement in greyhound ownership.
“I’ve had my fair share of success with gallopers and pacers but to win first up with my first greyhound has been a big thrill. It’s been a terrific day being here with Noel and Betty (Hartshorne) and seeing Key To Success put in such a great effort to win,” he said.