By David Lewis
FOR local electrician and two-greyhound trainer Adam Mackereth it was a welcome return to the winner’s circle at last Thursday’s Tara Raceway time-graded meeting.
Lining up from box two in the Klaassens Contractors TG5+W Stake over 512 metres for Mackereth was Two Fifty Three who was chasing her first win since last September at Murray Bridge over 455 metres.
The fawn bitch never really looked like being run down when leading all the way for a 2½ length win over 150-start veteran Two Hands George in 30.06 seconds, the quicker of the two 512-metre events on the day.
Speaking after the win, her eighth, Mackereth said it had been a frustrating time with Two Fifty Three since her last win.
“A week after her Murray Bridge win she dislocated a toe and then she was off the scene for more than three months after coming in season,” he said.
“But she’s gradually finding form again and I was really happy with her effort today.”
By Elite State, who raced back in the early 2000s, out of eight-race Mount Gambier winner Dusty Pearl, Two Fifty Three and her sister Four Longnecks were purchased as pups by Mackereth from Worrolong breeder Steve Bartholomew.
The litter continues to do quite well, with Unique Pearl having won 10 races, Hellboy and Four Longnecks eight and Victor Alfred seven.
Meanwhile, Ararat owner-trainer Doug Hammerstein landed his first Tara Raceway winner since August 2022 after Numerous led all the way and defeated Mr. Flash by two lengths in 23.29 seconds for the 400-metre journey.
Earlier in the day, Numerous’ litter sister Casting, trained by Jack Trengove, went close when going down by a nostril to Dean Fennell’s Saint Sally.
However, on Saturday morning at Angle Park, Casting made amends with an easy win over 342 metres.
