Recently-returned Mumbannar trainer Monty Wilson, “missing in action” for much of the year due to border restrictions, was back among the winners at Tara Raceway on Thursday.
Wilson had Union Man, raced by the Phil Cameron-managed Loco Lads Syndicate, engaged in the Rock’s Tavern Maiden Stake (400 metres) – the black dog going into the race as the only first starter.
But, all things considered, he handled himself pretty well. Mixing it early with Rough In Vegas and Rebellious Nick, Union Man held his nerve throughout, eventually scoring a narrow win in a respectable 23.59 seconds.
Understandably, Wilson was more than happy with the effort.
“I’ve only had him for about a month after receiving a call from Phil’s brother, John, at Penshurst to see if I would be interested in having a go with him.
“He went into the race after having only two trials at Tara Raceway and without any field experience whatsoever so I reckon he should find a bit more yet,” he said.
By 2017 Silver Chief winner Lightning Frank, Union Man is out of Jasmine Lilly, who raced on 102 occasions for five wins, four of those being at Tara Raceway.
Masters races, for greyhounds 3¾ years and older and added to the program back in 2016 until the introduction of time-graded meetings, returned on Thursday, this time over the 277 metres distance.
And winner of the Bartholomew Pick 6 Stake was Zipping Capri, successful for the first time in five months for Glenroy trainer Richard Clayfield.
The youngest runner in the race (November 2016 whelping), Zipping Capri took up the running approaching the home turn and held off one of the oldest runners in Bob Square Pants (November 2015) to win by three-quarters of a length in 16.68 seconds.