Aston Olenna won Tara Raceway’s first 305 metres feature event when successful in Sunday’s Razza Racing Feature Maiden final which was sponsored by SA’s 2020 leading trainer Tony Rasmussen and his wife Lisa, of Gifford Hill.
Lining up from box seven in what was only the third 305 metres race to be run at track, Aston Olenna was better away than the previous week in his heat when he defeated Sianna Magic by 1½ lengths in 17.50 seconds.
In the final, which carried an extra $1000 donated by the Rasmussens, Sianna Magic once again displayed plenty of early pace but it was Aston Olenna who rounded her up going into the first turn before running out a two lengths win in 17.49 seconds.
By Aston Bolero out of Aston Selena, the sizeable 36 kilograms fawn dog is raced by leading owner Ray Borda and trained at Allendale East by David Peckham who was the first to admit that Aston Olenna had been ‘a bit of a challenge’.
“He’s been in the kennels since November but initially he just wasn’t chasing properly,” he said. “So we decided to put him around with a couple of dogs that we knew could run a bit and see how he handled that.
“Well, when he beat them we knew we had something to work with; hopefully, he’ll now continue to get better. Being a January 2019 whelping we may even be able to have him ready for the Summer Classic (512 m) which will be run later in the month.”
Peckham said Tony Rasmussen had rung him to congratulate him on the win. He also confirmed sponsorship for next year’s Razza Racing Feature Maiden.
Aston Olenna’s win was the start of another good day for Peckham.
Later, Angelo’s Entity finished strongly in the Trackside Meats Mixed Stake (400 m) to grab tearaway leader Ed Deeds, a half-brother to Wilbur Deeds and also owned and trained by Garry Anders, in the shadows of the post in a time of 23.06 seconds.
And in the Gambier Vets Grade Five final (400 m), Tippa found the front down the back before racing away to a 3½ lengths win over Ton Eighty in 23.26 seconds.
Purchased by Tim Aloisi and Matt Lehman in December, Tippa was originally to be set for the John Gray Memorial at Angle Park. However, when the black dog disappointed in a lead-up race at the city track it was decided to race him locally where he has now won three races from four starts.
By Barcia Bale x Irisize, Tippa is an older half-brother to Snow Superstar (by Fernando Bale) who was the second leg of a double for Lewiston trainer Scott Feltus at last week’s Thursday meeting.
Well supported to win the JB Irrigation Stake (400 m), the Tina Cattermole-owned Snow Superstar set herself a fair task early before storming home to defeat Nyssa’s Girl by two lengths in 23.53 seconds.
Earlier in the day, in the Gambier Vets Maiden Stake (400 m), Rosie’s Angel led all the way at start number 22 to open her winning account for Feltus and owner Trevor Furner in 23.73 seconds.