Riverland-based owner-trainer Adam Burda reckoned he had made the 1000 kilometre round trip from Waikerie to Mount Gambier with his greyhounds a dozen or so times in a 30-year involvement – with no real success, though.

But all that changed for Burda last Sunday when No Fines, who he also bred, led all the way from box seven and defeated Rough Boy Russ by 2¾ lengths in the Metal Worx Stake (400 m) in 23.21 seconds.

By Fabregas, No Fines is out of Josie Rumble, a nicely bred daughter of Kiowa Mon Manny and Mystic Rumble and a winner of 21 races for $52,000 in prize money. According to Burda, though, it had been pure luck that he ended up with Josie Rumble.

“I had been looking around for a brood bitch and had spoken to Michael Lalicz from up Grafton way regarding Josie Rumble. He hadn’t filled me with a lot of hope but said he would get back to me if anything eventuated.

“Anyway, Michael did get back to me and Josie Rumble found her way to Waikerie. Her first of two litters for me was by Fernando Bale and included a dog named No Idea who is raced by the Space Invaders Syndicate which I manage.”

For a moment let’s back track to a Tara Raceway meeting in late January 2019 and to Mount Gambier-based Troy Casey who won his first race at the local track when No Song, trained by Nicole Stanley, led all the way over 512 metres.

Casey was one of four members of the Son Of Vadar Syndicate that raced No Song who had been having her first run in Mount Gambier after previously racing in Adelaide.

For Casey, who was on track for the win, it had been his first involvement in the sport after the syndicate had purchased No Song as a pup.

Also in the Son Of Vadar Syndicate had been Adam Burda, then of West Richmond, who bred No Song.

And on track at last Sunday’s Tara Raceway meeting was another Space Invaders syndicate member in Troy Casey – finally able to watch No Idea go around live in the Cadillac Racing Stake (400 m).

“As far as No Idea is concerned, my involvement virtually goes back to day one and to when the white and brindle dog was always going to be my selection given the remainder of the litter was white and black,” Casey said.

Chasing his tenth win, No Idea led all the way from box one, eventually running out a three length winner over Solid Ground in 23.14 seconds.

So the day ended pretty well for the “Space Invaders”. Burda finally won a race at Tara Raceway – two in fact – and brought up his third double in 30 years. And Casey finally got back to the track to see one of his dogs win.