Drew to launch all-out attack on Mount Gambier Cup
Drew to launch all-out attack on Mount Gambier Cup
Following a double last Sunday at Tara Raceway with Sher Zany and Aston Marvel, Dennington trainer Dustin Drew is set to launch an all-out attack on the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s forthcoming Cadillac Racing Mount Gambier Cup.
First run in 1981 when won by Tara Topar, a maximum eight heats of the 512 metre Group 3 event will be run on Sunday, April 7. Highlighting the April 14 meeting will be the running of the $36,000 final.
By Konomi out of Sherbini, Sher Zany took his number of wins to 13 and prize money to $90,000 when leading all the way and defeating Redshift Uniform by a length in 34.84 seconds in the Carlin & Gazzard Mixed Stake (600 m).
And while the majority of his wins have been over distances ranging from 600 metres to 730 metres, Drew said he expected the black dog to be among his team who will be taking on the cup.
“He has won over shorter distances and now that he’s had a look at the track under race conditions I don’t think the 512 metre distance will cause him too many problems.”
Yadillah Lad, chasing his third successive win for Portland trainer Robert Halliday, gave plenty of cheek in the Cadillac Racing Mixed Stake (512 m).
But it was Aston Marvel who took the lead turning for home before running away to a 4¼ length win over Lektra Tinsel in a personal best time of 29.49 seconds.
“He races well at the track and I was more than happy with his effort in what was a pretty handy field,” Drew said. “I was also happy with Ruby Rhode’s second behind In The Bug in the Tara Tipsters Cup (512 m).
“Considering she was having her first run at the track I thought she handled herself pretty well when running a three-quarter length second in a handy 29.81 seconds.”
Drew was at Sandown Park last Sunday when Aminah, a daughter of Barcia Bale and Bakali, ran a strong 1½ length second to Canya Hypersonic over 515 metres in 29.72 seconds.
“She ran a top race at Tara Raceway late last month when beating Lakeview Heather over 512 metres in 29.78 seconds. To be honest, I believe Aminah is one of our best chances in the Mount Gambier Cup.”
Drew also said he had been very happy with the run of Aston Reims, trained by his sister Aimee. The son of Fernando Bale and Aston Chandon led all the way in the Swallow Drive Meats Mixed Stake (512 m) for a five length win over Lektra Remi in 29.95 seconds.
“As far as the cup is concerned I’m tipping Aimee will be playing it by ear at the moment. But this dog most certainly has a real motor.”
Drew said he was likely to have six or more runners nominated for the cup.
“But as far as the Mount Gambier Cup is concerned, the local dogs are always hard to beat given that they know Tara Raceway so well.”
Meanwhile, at Murray Bridge on Sunday night, Adhana Rico, trained at Lewiston by Cameron Forshaw, took his prize money earnings to $206,000 when defeating Chapel Road by a length in 25.22 seconds in the Group 3 Daish Irrigation and Fodder Murray Bridge Cup (455 m).
Finishing in third spot was Mount Gambier greyhound Wild Banker, trained at Compton by Tracie Price.
Also the winner of last November’s Group 3 Gawler Cup (531 m), Adhana Rico, a son of Fernando Bale and Bella Rico, is now likely to take on next month’s Mount Gambier Cup.
And following the brindle dog’s Murray Bridge Cup success, connections are now in line for the bonuses which go with winning both the Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier Cups.
Greyhound Racing SA will link bonuses to both events which will include $5000 if the same greyhound can win both the Murray Bridge Cup and the Mount Gambier Cup.
There will also be a $5000 bonus if the same trainer can win both cups (SA or interstate or different greyhounds).
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A day of doubles at the dogs
It was a case of Portland-based Robert Halliday, Jack Trengove (Two Wells), David Peckham (Allendale East) and Annette Kampman (Purdeet) collectively dominating last week’s time-graded meeting with doubles.
Halliday kicked off his day with a win in the Commercial Hotel TG1-4W Stake (400 metres) after Yadillah Son stormed home to defeat Pace To Burn by a head in 23.55 seconds.
And later, Yadillah Lad, also by Bernardo x Spirited Bingle, led all the way in the Greg Martlew AutosTG5+W Stake (512 m) when defeating Two Hands George by 2¼ lengths in 30.23 seconds.
For Halliday, it was his first double since October 26 when Yadillah Lad and another of the litter in Wangler had been successful.
Kampman’s Myola Dusk staged a big run, coming from well back and storming home to defeat Alice Express by a half-length in 23.68 seconds in the Klaassens Contractors Mixed Series Fast Forward TG1-4W final (400 m).
By Aussie Infrared out of Pocket Queen, the win, which carried Category 2 prize money, was Myola Dusk’s first since August last year when she defeated Uncle Stripes at the Mount Gambier track.
Litter brother Myola Nick, also owned and trained by Kampman, contested last week’s $47,500 Sportsbet Emerald Series four-dog heats (300 m) at Healesville.
Sunday’s final was worth $30,000 to the winner and consisted of the eight fastest greyhounds from the heats, regardless of the finishing position.
Myola Nick was the tenth fastest and as such qualified for the Sportsbet Emerald Series Consolation which carried $7000 to the winner.
At his first start the black dog won his maiden over 305 metres at Tara Raceway in July 2023. And in December he was successful in the Warrnambool v. Mount Gambier Border Challenge (450 m) at Warrnambool.
Kampman’s second winner last week was Striking Holly who led all the way from box six in the Exchange Printers TG5+W Stake (400 m).
By Zambora Brockie out of Crymelon Holly, the 10-race winner has now won seven races since joining Kampman’s kennels in September 2022.
Striking Holly is the dog who at nine months of age took on a tiger snake and lived to tell the story.
A week under veterinary supervision and then a three month recuperation period followed although it was never expected that she would race.
But she got through breaking-in and at her fourth start over Tara Raceway’s 305 metre distance Striking Holly led all the way when winning in 17.88 seconds.
Kampman’s double was her first since January 12 last year when Myola Queen and Myola Pocket – by Lightning Frank and older half-sisters to Myola Dusk and Myola Nick – were successful at Tara Raceway.
For Trengove and Peckham, who currently hold down second and third spots on the Mount Gambier Leading Trainers’ list, doubles aren’t altogether a rare occurrence.
Crusher, a son of Fernando Bale and Thriving, was an emphatic winner of the Icon Signs TG1-4W Stake (512 m) for Trengove when defeating the Peckham-trained Sweet Lynette by 5½ lengths in 29.86 seconds.
And in the Winning Post Supplies TG1-4W Stake (400 m), Casting led all the way for a 1¼ length win over Fried Giblet in 23.56 seconds.
Peckham’s double came by way of Bourne Nancy in the Progreyhoundtips.com TG5+W Stake (400 m) and Pat The Rat in the Produce Store TG1-4W Stake (400 m).
Bourne Nancy, a member of the successful Bernardo x Dusseldorp litter, led all the way when defeating Cadillac Magic by 3¾ lengths in 23.15 seconds.
Later in the day Pat The Rat, a son of Spring Gun x Daisy Maree, defeated litter sister Lynette Ann by 5¾ lengths in 23.13 seconds.
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Win takes trainer back to where it all began
The win of Arctic Dash in last Thursday’s Todd’s Photographics Maiden Stake (305 metres) was a case of once again taking Kyneton trainer Scott Millard back to where it all began in 2016.
Actually, it had been a tour of Tanjil South trainer Kate Gorman’s kennels that led to his now strong involvement and passion for greyhound racing.
“There was a few of the family there that day and by the time the tour had concluded we had purchased a greyhound called Mumma’s Meatloaf,” Millard recalled.
“She was well-bred, being by the US sire Bella Infrared out of Sluice who raced on only 16 occasions for two wins at Warragul. But there was plenty of winning form there with Sluice tracing back to Floodfawn who raced from 2000 to 2002 when winning 39 races and $116,000 in prize money.
“And we certainly had plenty of fun with Mumma’s Meatloaf after she won 10 races at The Meadows, Sandown Park, Traralgon and Cranbourne for prize money of more than $35,000.”
By Sulzanti, Arctic Dash is the second of Mumma’s Meatloaf second litter to win following Aurora Dash’s win at Tara Raceway last September.
Arctic Dash, who finished the race off strongly for a 1¾ length win in 18.52 seconds, was having his 16th start, the light fawn dog raced in partnership with Millard’s father Chris.
The win completed a good week for the 41-year-old – who has now been training greyhounds for three years – following a win a few days earlier over 390 metres at Ballarat with Skull.
While conceding Mumma’s Meatloaf’s two litters had been disappointing, Millard said he had high hopes for four litters which are currently being reared on his 10-acre property.
“I’m pretty happy with my Tommy Shelby pups which are looking good at the pre-training stage,” he said. “And with another three litters to follow there’s a fair bit happening.
“But most certainly I’m still looking for the right one,” said Millard as he prepared for his four-hour journey back to Kyneton.