With 12 months since the passing of Penshurst-based John Burow, the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club conducted the Remembering John Burow race at Tara Raceway last Sunday.
It has to be said, Burow was regarded as something of a legend at the local track. He was also part of a strong Penshurst presence that used to regularly frequent Tara Raceway – all the poorer these days for its absence.
And he was always quick to remind the locals that he once had owned and trained a greyhound – Spin A Yarn – who had held the Mount Gambier track record over 400 metres.
Not long before his death Burow had purchased a fawn bitch pup by Aussie Infrared out of Banjo Lass. She was later taken over by next door neighbour Brendan Casey who had also purchased a couple of the litter from Compton breeder Tracie Price.
In his memory and given his keen support of the Sydney Swans, Burow’s pup was named Swan Burow and ultimately trained by Casey.
Needless to say, Casey had his trio engaged last Sunday. And Swan Burow drew box one in the Gordon Refrigeration Maiden Stake over 400 metres.
Now, it’s fair to say the Swan’s only two race starts hadn’t been anything special – well beaten fifth and sixth placings over 400 metres and 305 metres at Tara Raceway. But realistically, this did look a winnable race.
And let’s not forget this was the Remembering John Burow day. What better occasion for Swan Burow to open her winning account?
Well, she came out running and was the proverbial mile in front at the 732 metre starting boxes. This was really going to kick the day off well for the large contingent of family and friends on track.
But only after Swan Burow had set up a winning break did she apply the brakes, pulling up in the catching vicinity a lap too early. She did get going again, eventually finishing a 7¼ length third behind Avatar To Burn in 24.12 seconds.
Later, her trainer finished off a can and prepared for the long climb up the stairs to front the Chief Steward, knowing full well he would be unable to defend Swan Burow’s 28 days failing to chase charge.
By the time the Remembering John Burow race came around, Price had won two races – Compton Charlie bringing up his sixth consecutive win when successful in the Carlin & Gazzard Juvenile Stake (400 m).
And Donny Rocks ran a personal best time of 22.68 seconds when scoring a 6½ length win in the Exchange Printers Open Stake (400 m). But Price’s day had only just begun.
Lakeview Jet, a son of Bernardo and Lakeview Maisey, led all the way in the Remembering John Burow (512 m) for Price when defeating Rough In Vegas by eight lengths in 29.78 seconds. Not bad for a giveaway!
“It was back at the end of May that I had a few dogs racing at Horsham and was offered Lakeview Jet as a giveaway,” Price said. “I did a quick check on him and realised that he had run a couple of good placings behind two of my smart dogs in Hooked On Love and Myall Man.
“With me that day was Moesha Canala, a trainee school teacher and trainee greyhound trainer who is also a great help out at our Compton kennels.
“I said to her on the way home that if she was interested I could get Lakeview Jet for her to race. If she wasn’t interested then I would race him myself. She jumped at the chance and he’s now won six races for her at Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge.
“And Moe was certainly delighted to be in the Remembering John Burow presentation to Lakeview Jet with her partner Matt and young son Patrick.”
Price then followed up in the next race, the Williams Crane Hire Open Stake (512 m), with Hooked On Love who put in a terrific SA Country Cup trial when winning in a quick 29.52 seconds.
The son of Hooked On Scotch and Love Made Me took over the running down the back from Sugar Freak before scoring a 4½ length win over Compton Robbie.
Mount Gambier’s leading trainer then landed his fifth win of the day after Ebby Justice led all the way in the Gambier Vets Mixed Stake (600 m). She defeated Black Jester by three lengths in a tidy 35.11 seconds.