
Moorak training team Jason Newman and Melissa Freitag landed a double with Hotfoot Lump and Our Damiro at last Thursday’s time-graded meeting at Tara Raceway.
But according to Newman, the surprise winner had been Our Damiro in the Todd’s Photographics TG1-4W Stake (400 metres).
“Our Damiro was certainly the surprise of the day,” he said. “She had encountered seasonal issues along with a few injuries and to top it all off her trials had been only average. Honestly, I certainly didn’t expect her to win, let alone run a pretty handy time of 23.18 seconds.”
Chasing her first win since the end of October, Our Damiro, a $16 chance, never looked like being beaten when leading all the way for a 3¾ length win over Is He Happy.
By US sire Kinloch Brae, the brindle bitch is out of Miss Splendamiro, a winner of 33 races and more than $227,000 in prize money.
And Hotfoot Lump, a son of My Redeemer and Skywise, had been chasing his third win at start number 33 – all of his races having been locally at Tara Raceway.
Contesting the Metal Worx TG1-4W Stake (400 metres), Hotfoot Lump was away fairly from box seven before rounding up early leader Flying Madeline down the back and then holding off Compton Bobby for a 1¾ length win in 24.04 seconds.
TARA TIPSTERS THROW SUPPORT BEHIND RIDING FOR THE DISABLED – “IN A WHEELCHAIR PEOPLE LOOK DOWN ON ME, ON A HORSE I LOOK DOWN ON THEM.”
Commencing on Thursday, February 13, Mount Gambier’s Tara Tipsters for the first time will throw their support behind Mount Gambier’s Riding for the Disabled Association SA (RDA SA).
Proceeds from the twice-weekly Tara Raceway tipping competition – which runs for two months –will be donated to Mount Gambier RDA SA representatives at the conclusion of a designated race run at a Sunday race meeting.
Through participating in horse-related activities at RDA SA people from the age of 3 up to 80 can enjoy a safe recreational, stimulating, community and social activity with many other additional benefits.
RDA SA is committed to providing participants with positive experiences in line with the NDIS Practice standards and to providing pathways for opportunities of further challenge and development throughout the year.
Mount Gambier RDA SA is situated at Sunnybrae Equestrian Centre, Wandilo and offers riding, carriage driving and unmounted horsemanship from Monday to Friday.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 2 a donation will be made to representatives from the Mount Gambier Visually Impaired Club. And a more appreciative group you couldn’t hope to find.
Founded in 1978, the Visually Impaired Club helps people with vision requirements in the Mount Gambier area.
CLUB MANAGER’S GREYHOUND STRIKES AGAIN AT ANGLE PARK
A greyhound by the name of Canya Striker continues to be a pretty good pick up for Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club manager Mark Dwyer.
The son of Shima Shine and Joyful was purchased by Dwyer after winning his first race at Sandown Park in August last year over 715 metres.
Canya Striker has now raced in SA on 12 occasions for seven wins at Angle Park, Murray Bridge and Gawler over distances ranging from 530 metres to 643 metres.
The black dog’s most recent win was at Angle Park over 595 metres last Thursday night when he defeated Finniss Jewel in a time of 34.40 seconds.
Training Canya Striker is Tim Richards of Meningie who won his first race at Mount Gambier back in December 2017 with Allen Paul.
Richards has enjoyed much success at Tara Raceway since then and it’s probably only a matter of time before Dwyer’s dog finds his way down here for a race or two.
In fact, programmed at the local track next month is The Tankman Dual Distance heats and final series. Heats will be run over 512 metres and the $3500 final a week later over 600 metres.
Then, of course, follows the $3000 heats of the Group 3 $36,000 Cadillac Racing Mount Gambier Cup (512 m).