It’s now been more than seven years since Yambuk owner-trainer Tom Sinnott arrived at Tara Raceway one Friday afternoon in March with a greyhound called Dub Me In.
Sinnott had returned after the son of the US sire Lonesome Cry and On Shore had disap- pointed a couple of weeks prior when finishing fourth behind Cairnlea Peter in a heat of the 2014 Mount Gambier Cup.
And looking well placed from box one in the Allestree Holiday Units Mixed Stake (512 metres), Dub Me In duly ran out an easy winner over Monty’s Way, prompting race caller Allen Williams to declare the brindle dog had won by as far as you could kick your hat.
Actually, the margin was eight lengths and the time 29.62 seconds – a track record.
And this was a record that had been a while coming, given that Robert Halliday’s Half Way Home had been the record holder with a time of 29.79 seconds since April 10, 2011.
Fast forward to 2021 and Sinnott was at Tara Raceway last Thursday for the fourth time this year with George The First, the son of another US sire in SH Avatar out of Shore’s Girl, a younger half-sister to On Shore.
George The First had previously won at Warrnambool in January over 450 metres in a smart 25.29 seconds but had yet to win at Tara Raceway.
However, he looked well placed at the time- graded meeting in the Bourne Kennels 1-4 Wins Stake (512 m).
A quick beginning from box three set the scene for a demolition job as he powered away to a 121⁄4 lengths win in 29.48 seconds.
This was the fastest time-graded time recorded this year and quite possibly, the fastest ever.
Following the race, Sinnott said George The First would not return home to Yambuk with him and wife Ann but would continue on to Gifford Hill where he would be trained by Tony Rasmussen.
“We’re in the middle of moving house at the moment so there’s a bit happening,” he said.
“Tony’s trained dogs for us in the past.
“In fact, he trained George’s dam, Shore’s Girl, in 2017 when he won six races with her at Angle Park, Gawler and Strathalbyn.” It was a good couple of days for the litter with Happy Ruby bringing up her sixth win for Sinnott when successful at The Meadows on the day prior over 525 metres for Avalon trainer Rebecca Gibbons.
Both winners take their names from Tom and Ann Sinnott’s grandchildren.
Good start for proven dam’s second litter Compton Casey’s all the way win on debut in last Thursday’s Produce Store Maiden Stake (400 metres) at Tara Raceway in 23.34 seconds was a good start for her dam Miss Freelove’s second litter – whelped in November 2019 and by Mepunga Blazer.
By Smooth Fancy out of the prolific producer Casey’s Angel, Miss Freelove, in a racing career that had been hampered by injuries sustained as a pup, won four races in WA before finding her way to Tracie and Karen Price’s Compton kennels.
Miss Freelove’s first litter, by Dyna Double One, produced 22 winners at Tara Raceway last year and saw her finish in third spot behind Headline 26 and Lots Of Yap 23 on the leading dams’ list.
Her best performer was 2020 Mount Gambier Greyhound of the Year Perseverance, who recorded 10 wins, eight seconds and four thirds to win the award with 60 points.
She was purchased as a pup from the Prices by Michael Robinson and is trained at Glencoe by Dean Fennell.
Speaking after last Thursday’s win, Tracie Price said it was likely Compton Casey would soon relocate to Victoria where she would be with young Group 1-winning trainer Kayla Cottrell of Pearcedale.
While youngsters from Headline’s second litter by My Redeemer – are now hitting the track, it will still be a while before Lots Of Yap’s next litter by Glen Gallon is racing.
However, her first litter by Nitro Burst is still producing winners with Nitro Yap recording an impressive 22.78 seconds win over 400 metres for Ben Boers at Tara Raceway on May 9.
And See Nitro and Rose Bay opened their winning accounts this year when successful at Tara Raceway last Thursday for Portland own- er-trainer Andy Graham.
See Nitro, whose last win had been at Tara Raceway in December when she defeated the smart chaser Venus And Mars in a quick 29.78 seconds, led all the way in the Gordon Refrigeration 5+ Wins Stake (512 m) for a 23⁄4 lengths win over Dick Grayson in 29.96 seconds.
Graham said See Nitro, sidelined by injury for the early part of the year, was definitely better suited to the 512 metres journey.
“All her previous races this year had been over 400 metres so when she found the front I was just hoping she was not a run short.
“Fortunately that was not the case.” Having only her second run this year, the injuryprone Rose Bay finished over the top of Bazil Brush in the Exchange Printers 1-4 Wins Stake (400 m) for a one length win in 23.74 seconds.
“Nothing flash about the time but after 15 months it was nice to finally win another race with her,” Graham said.
