On behalf of the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club committee I would like to thank everyone who has helped out in any way this year. I would also like to thank those trainers – both SA and Victorian based – who travelled long distances to race at Tara Raceway. Your support is much appreciated.

UPGRADES: A considerable amount of work has been undertaken at Tara Raceway this year. A second slipping track has been completed and five pre-race empty out yards constructed. The track now boasts a new boundary fence, along with signage, a tractor turn around and automatic gate and concrete plinth along the finishing straight. In addition, a new water cart and gator were purchased.

FEATURE RACES: Highlight of the year obviously was the running of our first Group 3 race, the Carlin & Gazzard MG Mount Gambier Cup (512 metres), in April. The $36,000 event was won by Departure Gate, trained locally by Jason Newman. This year also saw the first Calcutta run since 2019. It was conducted at the Commercial Hotel in conjunction the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club and worked pretty well. However, the clubs’ cups in 2023 are unlikely to coincide. In July, the Exchange Printers Anniversary Cup (512 metres) was won by the Tracie Price trained Giant’s Flash who equalled his own track record of 29.19 seconds. Then, in September, the one-off South East Greyhound Racing Club Anniversary Cup was won by Departure Gate. And the Christmas Cup on December 18 was won by Aston Ziebell – trainer David Peckham’s fourth success in the race.

AWARDS: Mount Gambier’s 2022 Ian Badger Leading Trainer award was won by Tracie Price with a record number of winners – 181. The award is named after the late Ian Badger who was the inaugural leading trainer in 1978-1979. The 2022 Mount Gambier Greyhound of the Year is Departure Gate who won 15 Category 2 races and ran five second-placings for the Yeah Nah Syndicate. Handling the presentation of awards on February 19 will be Kevin Douglas and we thank him for his continued support as our MC.

SPONSORSHIP: To our two major sponsors, Carlin & Gazzard MG and Exchange Printers – and to all our other sponsors – we thank you very much for your continued support. And to the Bartholomew family, thank you for your long-time sponsorship of the Pick 6 which will continue until such time as it is next won.

CHARITY WORK: Support for local charitable organisations continues through the Tara Tipsters who continue to grow in numbers. Among those to receive support have been the Sunset Community Kitchen, Foodbank, the Visually Impaired Club of Mount Gambier, the Grantville Court Thrift Shop, Four Reasons Why, Quaran Care and the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Luncheon.

PARTICIPANT ACTION PLAN: On December 5 the committee met with Bodelle Francis (GRSA CEO) and David Lewis (GRSA Director) to discuss actions to be developed by GRSA in conjunction with the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club to increase participation in the Mount Gambier region. The time frame is for a March to May 2023 focus which lines up with the Mount Gambier Cup.

And finally, on a sad note we acknowledge the passing of Joyce Chatwood, Monty Wilson, John Burow, John Zaccardo and Kevin Clayfield.

NOEL PERRY
MGGRC President