Wednesday, November 27, 2019
For the first time in close to six years, the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club will conduct a twilight meeting at Tara Raceway – on the Boxing Day holiday on Thursday, December 26.
Originally there was to be no racing at Tara Raceway on this day, Greyhound Racing SA Racing Manager Shaun Mathieson saying the meeting was back on in the twilight zone thanks to the support of Sky Racing and staffing availabilities.
“GRSA appreciates that Boxing Day is one of the busiest days of the year as far as racing is concerned and we’re appreciative that Sky Racing has been able to allocate a timeslot in support of the Mount Gambier club,” he said.
“Importantly, we have also been able to secure veterinary services on this day, along with the assistance of local staff, their attendance ensuring that the meeting can be conducted.”
Thursdays at Tara Raceway are generally the domain of the time-graded greyhounds however as far as Boxing Day is concerned nominations will be called for 10 races which will all carry Sunday prizemoney.
The club has programmed heats of a grade five series over 400 metres and will also run maiden and graded races over all distances, subject to nominations received.
And with Juvenile races to be programmed on a regular basis at Tara Raceway as from January, nominations will also be called for a Juvenile (400 m) on Boxing Day, this being the last opportunity for December 2017 whelpings to contest the age-restricted non-penalty event.
The last twilight meeting was conducted on Sunday, February 9, 2014 – back then all winners receiving $545. At the time the 400 metre track record was held by Garry Marshman’s Star Doll at 23.05 seconds and the 512 metre record stood to the credit of Robert Halliday’s Half Way Home (29.79 seconds).
On that day the 10-race card kicked off at 4.25 p.m. and wrapped up at 7.16 p.m. with winners being Sassy Anna (Tracie Price), Rellim Joshua (Noel Miller), Our Dot (Scott Blacksell), Monarco (Cap Abbott), Slipper’s Might (Richard Clayfield), Remonstrate (Ray Keating), Teddy’s Moment (Tracie Price), Rouse Flyer (Barry Shepheard), Chilly Patch (Allen Williams) and In This Way (Brian Weis).
Meanwhile, while yet to be confirmed, it is likely that the GRSA Racing Manager will be at Tara Raceway on Thursday, December 19 to discuss with interested participants any issues they may have with grading or greyhound racing in general.