IT was a big day last Sunday for Angela Williams of Mount Gambier, turning 19 and also experiencing the thrill of her pride and joy – a greyhound called Cilla Brown – winning the 512-metre JB Irrigation Mixed Stake at Tara Raceway.
For the 4¼-year-old black bitch it was a win that would probably rank as one of her best, quickly out from box seven and never looking likely to be headed as she careered away to a 5¼ length win over Teddy La Moment in a personal-best time of 30.01 seconds.
The win also turned out to be a real family affair with David Williams, these days utilising Tara Raceway’s slipping track in the training of the winner for his daughter at what is his third stint with Cilla Brown – now a winner of eight races and prizemoney close to $11,000.
Cilla Brown is by little-known sire Ivan Brown, a winner of four short-course races at Albion Park and Maitland from 12 starts, out of four-race winner Surfing Blonde and found her way down to Mount Gambier in late 2016.
And it did not take Cilla Brown long to find winning form, as Angela Williams well remembers.
“At the time she’d been racing in maiden races at Angle Park for Adelaide trainer John Spoolder who had trained for my grandfather (Allen Williams),” she said.
“After she had not won in seven tries at Angle Park, John suggested Cilla Brown might be a good dog for me to race at Tara Raceway.
“Imagine my delight when she came out and won a heat of the Royal Fashion Maiden and then the final a week later at the 2016 Christmas Cup meeting.”
After 68 starts since relocating to the South East – all but two of them at Tara Raceway – Spoolder still keeps an eye on Cilla Brown’s progress, particularly pleased, also, her now 19-year-old owner continues to maintain a keen interest in the sport.
