KEVIN “KD” Douglas, handling the 512-metres Val and Col Sims Memorial Maiden final presentation with his customary aplomb at Tara Raceway on Sunday afternoon, reckoned Mortlake greyhound trainer Paul Herry would have plenty to say after Got Some Cheek’s win.
After all, it had been his first feature race win of any description in a 44-year involvement in the sport.
But, actually, he did not have much to say, the moment really getting to one of the good guys of greyhound racing.
Got Some Cheek, into the final on the strength of a 10-length second to Kinnky McPhee in a heat last week, drew box one again on Sunday, chasing Dimora Flash down the back before taking over the running and holding out Bomber Creek to win by a head in 30.52 seconds, with the early leader a further two lengths back in third spot.
Herry still appeared in a state of shock as Koroit owner-trainer and Got Some Cheek’s catcher Robert Walsh – successful in the previous race with Ima Caravan – brought back the fawn bitch to the presentation area, delighted for his fellow trainer and excusing him for making him walk all the way back.
As far as Herry was concerned, this was one of those days at the track that rarely comes along for hobby owner-trainers.
Not only did Got Some Cheek score one of the most popular wins seen at Tara Raceway in a long time, but earlier in the day her litter sister Stockwhip Sally stormed home to win the 400-metre JB Irrigation Maiden Stake over Luca Flyer – also by a head.
The litter sisters are by Lonesome Cry out of Up And Away and would have been high-priced pups, but by the time they had been named and old enough to race were purchased at last November’s Ready 2 Race Sale at Bendigo by Herry for a total outlay of $1300, with Stockwhip Sally being the higher price of the two at $700.
The win of Got Some Cheek was the third feature win at Tara Raceway for the breed, with the Richard Clayfield trained Solitary Lad winning the John Reid Memorial and the Destini Fireball Winter Classic in 2017.
Later Herry wandered over, still in a daze and not quite sure whether he had thanked the right people at the presentation, to ask if The Border Watch could possibly include his thanks to the Sims family, Greg Quinn, Gary Parsons, Peter Fulton, along with Steve Bartholomew, Barry Shepheard and members of the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club committee.
Lass finds niche
MOUNT Moriac greyhound Jack’s Lass – out of the winner’s list since May last year – benefited from a look at Tara Raceway last month when returning for Friday’s time-graded meeting and leading all the way to win the 400-metre ClassicBet Stake by three-and-three-quarter lengths in 24.10 seconds.
Owned and trained by Kevin Ward, Jack’s Lass was his first-ever winner at Tara Raceway although things got considerably better later in the day when Don’s Magic and Ace Gone Wild also won – all three winners being bred by Ward.
Don’s Magic is owned by Ward but trained on his property 14km out of Geelong by Noel Carthew, while Ace Gone Wild is raced in the same interest as Jack’s Lass.
Jack’s Lass is by Go Wild Jack out of Alouette Lass with Ward, who currently is kept busy with 40 greyhounds, rating her sire as the best dog he has been associated with in a 20-year involvement in the sport.
“I have been tied up with a few handy ones,” he said.
“Exclusion won the 2005 Ballarat and Warrnambool Greyhound of the Year awards and Tiger Stress the Ballarat GOTY in 2006.
“About that time I also purchased a couple of seven-month-old litter brothers by Go Wild Teddy x Farloe’s Rose for $7500 with one later to race as Go Wild Kev and win the 2007 Horsham GOTY.
“Go Wild Jack was the other one and he raced on 74 occasions for 23 wins and close to $90,000 in prizemoney – the 2007 Group 2 Ballarat Cup (450m) being the highlight of his career.”
Don’s Magic, a daughter of Magic Sprite x Don’s Premier, had no trouble handling Tara Raceway for the first time, chasing Dimora Bekim until the home turn where she took over the running and finished strongly for a three-and-a-half length win in the 400-metre Gordon Refrigeration Stake.
And Ace Gone Wild, another Tara Raceway first starter, chased Galactic Fox until off the back where he took over, eventually running out a two length winner in 23.56 seconds in 400-metre The Border Watch Stake.
A Sandown Park winner, Ace Gone Wild is by Cosmic Chief out of Princess Douglas who has plenty of US blood in her line as well as that of Fitzroy Lass, the dam of the legendary Head Honcho.
Speaking after the last race on Friday, Ward said it had been a long time since he had been associated with three winners on one day.
“The dogs we’re currently racing are well-suited to these sort of meetings,” he said.
“The time-graded format gives every dog a chance and I believe it’s a pity they are not being run in Victoria.”
