For the second time this year the 400 metres track record at Tara Raceway has been broken.

First, it was back on January 5 when Dyna Carnie defeated Azumi Stringer by 81⁄4 lengths in a time of 22.74 seconds.

This lowered Cryer’s Ricky’s record of 22.78 seconds which had stood for almost four years.

And last week, Almighty Stripe, straight to the front from box four, carved out 22.68 seconds when defeating Rocketline by seven lengths in the South Eastern Hotel Mixed Stake.

Bred at Meningie by Tim Richards, who races the son of Fabregas in partnership with his Kalgoorlie-based sister Sheree Hayes, Almighty Stripe’s success was his first since winning at Tara Raceway on August 13 over 400 metres in 22.88 seconds.

The black dog has now raced on 31 occasions for 15 wins, the delighted trainer saying after the record-breaking run there had been a time when it appeared as though Almighty Stripe’s racing career may well have been over virtually before it had even begun.

“It was back in February last year when he started racing, but after only three starts he was sidelined due to injury and consequently off the scene for eight months,” Richards said.

“When he did finally make it back to the track I do not mind telling you it was a great relief when he won first-up at Murray Bridge up the straight. In fact, at his first seven starts back he won five of them.”

Jervois Boy, a litter brother to Almighty Stripe, was the first leg of a double for Richards, leading all the way in the Metal Worx Mixed Stake (512m) to defeat kennelmate Gold Burner by three lengths in 30.04 seconds.

Last week was the third occasion this year that members of the successful litter out of 25-race winner Spicy Peppa – a half-sister to former SA champion sprinter Worm Burner – had recorded doubles at Tara Raceway.

Jervois Bruit and Jervois Boy were successful on July 16 while a month later it had been Jervois Bruit and Almighty Stripe who contributed towards Richards’ good run this year at the track.