Given her father Paul Herry’s long involvement with greyhounds, April Janssen had grown up with the breed. But it hadn’t been until 2023 that the Princetown-based Janssen had actually become actively involved in greyhound racing.

Back then she had purchased a bitch pup by Tommy Shelby out of Ivy Wren. Later to race as Princetown Flyer, her first win came in October last year at Tara Raceway prior to three wins this year at the local track and Warrnambool.

Then in October last year Janssen also picked up Swift Gift as a give away after there appeared to be some doubt as to her ability to run out 500 metres.

By Aston Rupee out of Mepunga Bella, the fawn bitch won at her second start at Tara Raceway over 400 metres. However, it would be nine months later before Swift Gift followed up with her next win when defeating her kennelmate over 512 metres

But she’s now won six races and recorded 19 minor placings from 51 starts with the highlight being a win in last Sunday’s Labour Day Cup at Tara Raceway.

Swift Gift virtually led all the way from box eight in the 512 metre event, eventually running out a two length winner over the Tracie Price trained Lochinvar Pearl in 29.96 seconds.

This was a win well received on course and April Janssen was one owner-trainer who certainly didn’t look to try and contain her excitement.

“My two greyhounds have won 10 races between them and today was the first time either of them had won a trophy. Now, all I need to do is to try and win a race which carries a presentation rug,” she said.

Actually, Herry had been at Tara Raceway the previous Thursday with his greyhound What Odds Billy. And the son of Good Odds Harada x Shim’s Heart had been an odds-on favourite in the Federal Hotel Maiden Stake (305 m).

But while he was under the pump early after missing the start, the brindle dog did make up plenty of ground in the run home when finishing a 1½ length second to Cadillac Class.

Meanwhile, Ballarat owner-trainer Trent Blacker still has fond memories of a greyhound called Aeroplane Mo, a son of Collision and Ritza Night who he raced at Tara Raceway back in 2018.

“I still remember a period in July that year when he won a couple of feature 600 metre events at Tara Raceway – the Koroit 600, which also carried a breaking-in package at Peter Byrne’s track, and also the Eric Lewis Memorial which is still run to this day,” he said.

Blacker’s last winner at the local track had been in January last year with Arrow Bar Peanut who had defeated Lorraine Goodwin’s Pace To Burn over 305 metres in 17.83 seconds.

And he was back at the track a couple of weeks ago with a greyhound called Aliir, a daughter of Aston Rupee and Ayia Sophia, who had won four races at Warrnambool, Shepparton and Horsham.

Having her first look at Tara Raceway, Aliir finished fourth behind Sarah Louise in the Commercial Hotel Stake (400 m), going down by a length in what had been a more than handy first-up effort.

Blacker returned again last week with Aliir who drew box eight in the Federal Hotel Stake (400 m). And it’s marvellous what a difference a week can make.

The red brindle bitch crossed straight down from the outside and was never headed, eventually running out a 2½ length winner over Compton Jenny in a quick 22.79 seconds. Blacker is now tempted to return again this week.

“I note that there is a Grade Six 512 metre race programmed for the coming week. And given the way she’s finishing her short course races off I’m keen to try her over a bit more ground,” he said.

Attending this Sunday’s meeting to receive a donation from the Tara Tipsters will be representatives from the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group. And the winning trainer of the Grade Six 512 metre race will receive an Andrew Earl hand-crafted leather collar and lead.