David Lewis
WARRNAMBOOL trainer Linda Gore’s first visit to Tara Raceway last Sunday paid dividends when Hurricane Hazel finished strongly in the 512-metre Hyland Fox Stake for a three-quarter-length win over Hooked On Love in 30.40 seconds.
The win was the black bitch’s first since last November at The Meadows where she had been successful over 600 metres for Lara trainer Brendan Pursell.
“She also won her maiden at The Meadows over 525 metres while with Brendan before returning to our kennels early this year,” Gore said.
“We are now looking to step her up in distance and figured the Mount Gambier 512 metres might be a good stepping stone.”
Hurricane Hazel is owned by Gore’s husband Rob – president for the past three years of the Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club – along with Janet and Jack Jenkins who were also on course to enjoy the win.
The May 2020 daughter of Cosmic Rumble and Mossy Girl has been a real hands-on exercise for Rob and Linda Gore who have been involved with greyhounds for 30 and eight years respectively.
“We bred the litter of 10 – Mossy’s Girl’s second – but kept only one pup (Hurricane Hazel) ourselves which we then reared and broke-in,” Linda said.
“She showed a bit as a pup and that was the reason we sent her over to Brendan for a while.”
They rate My Girl Kizzy as the best greyhound they have been involved with.
The daughter of Mepunga Blazer and Mepunga Rosie was bred at Mepunga East by Barry Smith who also bred Mossy’s Girl.
“All told she won 11 races and $70,000 in a 47-start career that saw her successful in a heat of the SA Oaks at Angle Park in 2020,” Rob said.
“Later she won over 715 metres at Sandown Park.”
They now look forward to My Girl Kizzy’s first litter hitting the track.
Whelped in March 2022, the pups are by Fernando Bale.
Earlier in the day, young Two Wells trainer Harry Trengove landed his second Tara Raceway win this year when Winkler scored an emphatic victory in the Rocks Tavern Mixed Stake over 400 metres.
Winkler’s all-the-way 4¼ length win over the in-form Buster Banjo in 23.12 seconds followed Rockstar Fender’s 305-metre maiden win on February 9.
Both dogs are raced by Adelaide-based owner Kevin Wallis who, according to 22-year-old Trengove, is enjoying his first involvement in greyhound racing.
“Winkler has turned out to be a pretty good buy for Kevin,” Trengrove said.
“He was advertised on the net for $1000 after having won five races at Goulburn, Dapto and Nowra and has now won a further five in SA.”
“In particular, his form at Gawler has been really good.
“I’ve been coming down here a bit lately with dogs for Dad (Clint) so I thought I’d throw in Winkler as well.
“Even though it was his first time on the track I figured something a bit different wouldn’t hurt him.”
By Ritza Lenny out of the unraced Lady Pace – a litter sister to former smart chaser Yarraman Ace – Trengove’s black dog will not rest on his laurels this week.
“I’ve got him in at Gawler over 400 metres,” Trengrove said.
“He seems to race well on a quick back-up.”
Maryborough trainers Calum Blake and his wife of three months Jazmyn enjoyed a successful day at Tara Raceway with two of their Raw Ability x Dubovka littermates – Argyle Bell and Artificial Blue.
Argyle Bell led all the way from box five in the 400-metre Trackside Meats Stake, running out a 3½ length winner over Bungaloo Darcy in a smart 23.02 seconds.
Then Artificial Blue wrapped up the day with an outstanding result in the 400-metre Winning Post Supplies Stake when leading all the way for a seven-length win over Shot Of Brandy in 22.89 seconds.
Speaking after the last race Calum Blake, a full-time maintenance officer at the Bendigo greyhound track, said both dogs had been giveaways.
“Artificial Blue had come from the breeder, Daniel Pell, at the pre-training stage while Ray Morgan of Argyle had been of the opinion that Argyle Bell was not up to his standard,” he said.
Blake was joined at the track last Sunday by his brother Aaron who won 10 races in 2022 at Tara Raceway with his versatile chaser Adelong.
Both have a long association with Mount Gambier greyhound racing.
A few may remember the 2012 Berringa Park Iron Dog run over 400 metres, 512 metres and 400 metres.
They may also remember the final on December 2 which was won by Kiss Me Donkey and the presentation by Michael Niele to the winning connections – 16-year-old owner Calum Blake and slightly older trainer Aaron.
