Long-time Moorak trainer Allan Holmes, whose involvement in local greyhound racing goes back to the Glenburnie days, brought up his first winner in five years when Way To Stand was successful at Tara Raceway’s time-graded meeting on Thursday.

Having his tenth start for Holmes, the brindle dog settled in second spot behind tearaway leader Mrs. Watson before finishing strongly to grab victory by a half head in a handy Metal Worx 5+ Wins Stake (512 metres) in a time of 30.28 seconds.

In fact, such was the strength of the field that Way To Stand was a $40 chance. However, his owner-trainer said after the race that he had been “half hopeful” of success after the dog found himself running second early in the race.

By Don’t Knocka Him out of Little Fran – pure coincidence given his wife’s name is Fran – Holmes purchased the January 2019 whelping after he had been advertised for sale by Darren Geyer of Moolap.

“Because of a hip issue, I was looking for a relaxed sort of greyhound and one that I would be able to handle. Darren assured me Way To Stand was a quiet type of dog, terrific in the kennel and easy to train,” Holmes, currently a one-dog trainer, said.

“He was right on all counts. Such is the dog’s nature that I’m going to keep him as a pet after he finishes racing and look for a couple of pups to maintain my interest in greyhound racing.”

For Holmes, awarded Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club life membership in 2012, his last win prior to Thursday had been on November 3, 2017 when Bull Battle Born was successful.

He rates three of his better dogs as Moorak Lad (Shining Chariot x War Woman) 14 wins between 1992-1994, Moorak Flyer (Dancing Memory x Delmarni) 14 wins between 1995-1997 and Moorak Hope (Bond x Loveless Girl) winner of the 2013 SA Country Cup at Gawler.