As has been the case for a number of years, yesterday’s presentations at the Anniversary Cup meeting were handled by Kevin “KD” Douglas.
And this year marked the 18th running of the John Reid Memorial, a maiden event over 512 metres that is conducted in memory of one of the club’s real stalwarts.
But this particular memorial, won by Lochinvar Cahill who led all the way to defeat El Banjo by three-quarters of a length in 29.86 seconds, certainly took on more significance as far as Douglas was concerned.
Lochinvar Cahill is trained at Allendale East by David Peckham who won the second Reid Memorial back in 2006 with Bourne Destiny. And he races yesterday’s winner in partnership with Douglas, a long-time mate of John Reid.
“We went back a long-time,” Douglas said. “And I don’t mind telling you this is one race that I have always wanted to win.”
Eric Lewis was at the public meeting back in 1972 when the SE Greyhound Racing Club was formed. He was on the initial committee and later club president.
He also loved distance racing and as such the Eric Lewis Memorial is run annually over either 600 metres or 732 metres – this year over the former.
Aston Ziebell, also trained by Peckham, had no trouble in making the step up to 600 metres when leading all the way to defeat Compton Amy by five lengths in a pretty tidy 34.91 seconds.
Speaking after the race, Peckham said the son of Aston Kimetto x Aston Dinnigan had joined his kennels early last month after appearing to lose interest in racing.
“I decided to race him in a blinkered muzzle and so far that seems to have worked as he has now won three races in succession – all in good times.”
