The Two Wells-based Trengove team – Clint, Shelley, Jack and Harry – was out in force yesterday at Tara Raceway for the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s South-East Hoteliers Day.
Formerly of Broken Hill, they had 27 greyhounds engaged at the 12-race program. And it was Jack who took the training honours with Bullying and Emerley Poida.
Having his first start at the track, Bullying, by Black Magic Opal out of Flowing (a daughter of 2014 Mount Gambier Cup winner Veetee Express) led all the way in the Tantanoola Stake (400 metres) when defeating Ajmer by 1¼ lengths in 23.34 seconds.
Eight South-East hotels were represented in the Licensed Victuallers Challenge (400 m) – the Pines Hotel, Dartmoor Hotel, Western Tavern, South Eastern Hotel, RSL Mount Gambier, Tantanoola Hotel, Commercial Hotel and the Federal Hotel.
And it was Emerley Poida, a son of Aussie Infrared and Emerley Avenue, who led all the way for the Commercial Hotel. The black dog held out Compton Buster to win by a half-length in 23.33 seconds for Broken Hill owner Craig Thomas.
In third spot, a further 1¼ lengths back, was the winner’s litter sister and kennel mate Emerley Sharon – raced by Maddie Schulz who also made the trip down.
Jack Trengove, 24, has done pretty well since relocating to Two Wells 18 months ago with the express purpose of setting himself up as a full-time greyhound trainer.
His introduction to SA racing actually kicked off at Mount Gambier when he landed a treble with Curiouser, It’s A Louie and Jackie’s Exhibit. Since then, he has trained close to 200 winners on SA tracks.
Meanwhile, Bendigo owner-trainer Nathan McKay was back at Tara Raceway yesterday and found himself in the Licensed Victuallers Challenge with Mad Brax, a winner of his past two starts at Shepparton over 385 metres.
A son of Fabregas and Scott A Secret, Mad Brax was McKay’s first Mount Gambier winner back in June when he defeated Crusoe Kid.
And while there was no joy in the LVC, the day ended on a high for the McKay family after Lightning Leo led all the way in the Bartholomew Pick 6 Stake (400 m) to defeat Marcus Moloney by 2½ lengths in a best of day time of 23.03 seconds.
A member of the handy Fabregas x Chloe’s Hand litter, Lightning Leo was having his first start for the McKays after recently being purchased through a for sale advertisement.
“This was actually a case of the kids – Daniel and Alyssa – wanting to become further involved in the sport. So when Lightning Leo came on the market they put some of their earnings derived from catching duties at Bendigo and Shepparton towards the purchase,” McKay said.
The South-East Hoteliers Day, first run last year, attracted a reasonable crowd although hotel support was mixed. And according to MGGRC president Noel Perry this possibly puts its future in doubt given the cost of staging such a day.
“To be honest, crowd-wise, we were a little disappointed. Having said that, though, the club was certainly appreciative of those who made the effort to get out to the track and enjoy an excellent day.”
MC Kevin “KD” Douglas, as usual, was at the top of his game. And when Troy Bell, the Member for Mount Gambier, dropped in during the afternoon Douglas was quick to line him up for an interesting interview.
Also on track was Tim Stoeckel of Greyhound Racing SA Marketing. He filmed some of the Hoteliers Day action but was primarily at Tara Raceway to do a piece on the Tara Tipsters whose contribution to local charities has been well documented.
Stoeckel spoke with members of the Tara Tipsters and also with several of the charities’ recipients.
The Tara Tipsters, which now boasts a record 23 contributors, currently is supporting the Mount Gambier Community Christmas Day Lunch.
