By David Lewis
CAPE Bridgewater owner Scott Blacksell, together with partner Jude Tait, continue to be generous supporters of what they see as worthwhile causes at Tara Raceway – Mount Gambier’s greyhound track situated on Lake Terrace East.
Back in the early days of the charity-based Tara Tipsters competition, Blacksell had put his hand up and donated $50 to the charity jar each time one of his greyhounds in Rooster or Worms Are Biting were successful at the local track.
Last year, the Tara Tipsters – 20 or so regulars at the Thursday and Sunday Tara Raceway meetings who battle for tipping bragging rights while contributing to a worthy local cause – threw their support behind the family of 22-month-old Mia Powell.
Mia had been diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, with her parents focusing on treating the symptoms.
As it turned out, around this time one of Blacksell’s greyhounds just starting off her racing career had been Mocambora Mia, a well-bred daughter of US sire Superior Panama and Sweet On Me, a winner of 21 races, including the 2020 Summer Classic when trained locally by David Peckham.
Blacksell purchased a dog and bitch as pups from the December 2021 litter and reared them at Cape Bridgewater prior to the pair being broken-in at Koroit by Peter Byrne.
Currently Peckham is training Mocambora Mia while her owner recovers from a hip operation.
Her maiden win over 400 metres came at start number four and happened to coincide with the Mia Powell Tara Tipsters fundraiser.
This time Blacksell generously donated $100 to the charity jar.
Mocambora Mia has since won another three races at Tara Raceway, all over 400 metres.
An additional $150 in support of the Visually Impaired Club of Mount Gambier, Four Reasons Why and the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group has jumped into the charity jar.
Concluding next week is the Tara Tipsters latest fundraiser – the Mount Gambier Cancer Support Group – representatives to be on track on Sunday, August 4 to receive a donation at the conclusion of the running of the Tara Tipsters Cancer Support Group Cup (512m).
The next charity to be supported by the Tara Tipsters is Spare Ya Change 4 Kids which does important work in ensuring local kids are fed.
Meanwhile, a new report from IER, commissioned by the SA racing industry, highlighted the substantial economic, social and community benefits the racing industry in SA contributed to the state economy.
Greyhound Racing SA Chair, Grantley Stevens, said greyhound racing continued to be a major part of the communities at which racing is based.
“We host events and support charitable and grassroots causes throughout the year,” he said.
“And we look forward to the ongoing delivery of the economic and social contributions we make to SA.
“GRSA conducts 448 race meetings annually, providing significant employment and contributing to local economies within both metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas.
“GRSA is immensely proud of the contribution it makes as part of the SA racing industry to the state’s economy and, more broadly, within the regional communities in which we race.”
