By David Lewis
“I RECKON if we can get through the first two races then it’s going to be a big day,” said Compton greyhound trainer Tracie Price prior to the running of last Sunday’s 11-race program at Mount Gambier’s Tara Raceway.
That is how the day panned out for the track’s leading trainer after Charley Davidson and Warby’s Delight won the first two races – the Exchange Printers Stake Masters (305 metres) and the Metal Worx Maiden Stake (305m).
By Barcia Bale x Oriental Jewel, Charley Davidson brought up his sixth win this year at the track for the Matt Papst-managed MMBSD Syndicate when leading all the way to defeat kennelmate Victory Chase in 17.55 seconds.
Gaining a start as a reserve, Warby’s Delight, a son of Walk Hard and Wolfpack, was a clear last early but never left the rails and finished too strongly for kennelmate Glasgow Lass in 17.98 seconds.
Five more winners on the day would follow, with Price’s total breaking the previous record of six which he had held, along with David Peckham of Allendale East.
Coleraine owner Bob Wombwell, currently not in the best of health, received a boost when Price brought up is third successive winner for the day with Gold Comet in the Williams Crane Hire Maiden/One Win Stake (400m).
Also bred by the trainer, the son of Mepunga Blazer x Miss Freelove was never in any danger of defeat when leading all the way for a seven-length win over Lektra Sammy in a personal best time of 23.36 seconds.
Then it was Whole Way who took his 600 metre performance record at the track to four wins and three minor placings from seven starts when successful in the Todd’s Photographics Mixed Stake.
Raced by Adelaide owners Michael Ceravolo and Daniella Madalinski, the black son of Spring Gun and Springvale Hope chased Departure Gate for much of the journey before finishing strongly in the straight for a one-length win in 34.91 seconds.
But Price’s day was always going to end up focusing on Banjo Bert, Giant’s Flash and Minnie Banjo – all members of the Banjo Boy x Navada Flame litter and raced by the Garry Comans-managed Giant Crows Syndicate.
Banjo Boy, reputedly the quickest of the litter at breaking-in, brought up his first Tara Raceway win when leading all the way in the Klaassens Contractors Stake (400m) to defeat Aston Stella in 23.07 seconds.
Kennelmate Right Way, raced in the same interests as his litter brother Whole Way, certainly threw down the gauntlet to Giant’s Flash in the Progreyhoundtips.com Mixed Stake when leading for much of the 512 metre journey.
However, in the home straight it was Giant’s Flash who finished the stronger, eventually winning by 2½ lengths in 29.55 seconds.
While Minnie Banjo had to withstand plenty of pressure from Aston Dijon and Worms Are Biting in the Rocks Tavern Open Stake (400m), in the end she had a half-length to spare on the line in 23.05 seconds.
So ended another memorable day for Team Price – a record-breaking seven winners which included a litter treble.
As is always the case after a big day or a big win, Price was quick to pay tribute to his team.
“Look, it’s a big job out here,” he said.
“We have 26 greyhounds in work and all told around 60 on the property.
“It’s certainly a team effort.
“Karen, my wife, reckons she has plenty to put up with and, believe me, she has.
“My son, Ben, is out here every day and I can’t speak highly enough of Kevin Patzel whose attention to detail and reliability is outstanding.
“Also, Moesha Canala is a great help at the track on race days.
“We have terrific owners, some having benefited from Tara Raceway’s finish-on-lure which has helped to turn around the fortunes of their greyhounds.”
For all his success at Tara Raceway, Price is still yet to win a Mount Gambier Cup.
The closest he has so far come has been a third placing with Suzy’s Moment behind Banger Harvey in the 2011 cup final.
But following last Sunday’s performances, he looks to have a strong line-up for next month’s Group 3 Carlin & Gazzard MG Mount Gambier Cup (512m), heats of which will be run on Sunday, April 3.
“Another one in the mix, but still awaiting clearance is Chuck Rocks, a litter brother to Angle Park 730 metre record holder Frankie Boy, Price said.
“And Kayla Cottrell, of Pearcedale, may bring Compton Amy back after her big win over 545 metres at Ballarat the other night.”
For sure, a Mount Gambier Cup win would certainly add to a year that, prior to last Sunday, had already resulted in six winners at the January 30 meeting as well as track records to Minnie Banjo and Giant’s Flash over 400 metres and 512 metres respectively.
