It’s fair to say that Toolleen trainer Nathan McKay generally does pretty well with his greyhounds when he makes the occasional trip over to Mount Gambier – more often than not for a Thursday time-graded meeting.
And last week was no exception when Solar Habit led all the way from box four in the Carlin & Gazzard TG1-4W Stake (305 metres), eventually running out a 6¾ length winner over Shanny Rose in a best of day 17.65 seconds.
McKay, who was at Tara Raceway last week with his 17-year-old daughter Alyssa, had last been at the local track back in early May when Highway Betty had been successful in a maiden race over 305 metres.
Solar Habit is a son of Shima Shine and Maggie’s Habit, a winner of seven races at Gosford between 2020 and 2022. He is raced by the Costerfield Syndicate which comprises three mining mates from Central Victoria.
“The boys purchased him for $9000 after he had won three races at The Gardens in NSW,” McKay said. “I’ve now had him for about three months and after encountering a few issues I’ve built him up a bit and was pretty happy with today’s effort.”
McKay’s first Tara Raceway winner had been back in June 2022 with Mad Brax.
Earlier in the day, 22-year-old -trainer Ben Price of Compton brought up his second consecutive win with Blue Khaki. The son of Shima Shine and Baby Talk led all the way in the Icon Signs TG1-4W Stake (400 m) and defeated Compton Franky by seven lengths in 22.91 seconds.
The 2½-year-old blue dog found his way to Price’s kennels as a give away from Pearcedale trainer Kayla Cottrell.
“Kayla believed Blue Khaki would possibly be better suited to racing in SA,” said Price. “And while I’m more than happy with his two Mount Gambier runs I’ll also be looking to try him on other tracks.”
And one good turn deserves another. Price’s father, Tracie, has sent a couple of Beast Unleashed x Minnie’s Banjo bitches to Victoria where they are being trained by Cottrell.
Minnie’s My Mum was a winner at Shepparton last month while Compton Gold has won her past three races at Warragul (460 m), Sandown Park (515 m) and last Thursday night at Sandown Park over 595 metres.