With race distances of 305 metres, 400 metres, 512 metres and 600 metres already in place, trainers at Tara Raceway will have a further option come the end of the month when 732 metres racing returns to the calendar.

Primarily, the 732 metres start, before the boxes being switched to accommodate the 305 metres distance, had been used for trialling over 277 metres (boxes to winning post).

However, after a break of more than eight years, 277 metres racing was back on the program for the latter part of last year with a maiden race being graded youngest-up.

This followed a move by the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club committee to re-introduce short-course racing on a restricted basis.

It was hopeful of encouraging trainers to race their greyhounds at a slightly younger age (minimum age is 16 months) rather than continue to trial them.

In the meantime, though, Greyhound Racing Strategic Projects Manager, Scott Wuchatsch, came up with a layout of a 305 metres start which he believed would enable greyhounds to race in a straight line out of the boxes with a far longer run to the first turn.

In late January 2021 heats of the Razza Racing Maiden kicked off 305 metres racing from a new purpose-built start at Tara Raceway.

This signalled the end of 277 metres racing.

From then on, only 732 metres races would be conducted from the existing starting area – after a new set of boxes had been sourced.

So once greyhounds hit the winning post the first time (277 metres) they’ll just be warming up given there will still be another lap to travel.

It’s now almost two years since a 732 metres race has been run at Tara Raceway – Nicole Stanley’s Angle Park 2019 SA Distance Championship winner Dyna Quota defeating Noosa Parade in a time of 43.85 seconds.

There was a time when a 732 metres race was one of the highlights on Mount Gambier Cup day.

Hopper’s Crossing trainer Allan Meyer was a stranger to Tara Raceway but opted for a run in the 2018 cup day distance with Mick’s Angel after tiring of “having his head kicked in by the million dollar dog Fanta Bale”.

And the daughter of Kilty Lad x Seabrook Lass turned in a big run to defeat Cryer’s Plugger and Bekim Lucy’s in 43.94 seconds.

Set down for Sunday, October 31 is the Winning Post Supplies Back to Distance Racing Stake.

If the interest so far expressed materialises then it should be a good race.


Litter success continues


It took a while, but rising three-year-old Diva’s Secret finally won her first race when holding out Langhorne Creek trainer Tony Hinrichsen’s five opponents in last Thursday’s Metal Worx Maiden Stake (400 metres) at Tara Raceway.

By Aston Dee Bee out of Majestic Tale, Diva’s Secret was sold as a four-month-old pup to Victorian interests by Morphett Vale breeder Damien Smith.

However, 2½ years later he found himself with the 24 kilograms bitch back in his kennels.

“She ended up back here after having only a few runs in Victoria,” he said.

“I gave her one run at Angle Park last month over 342 metres but when she did not perform I gave Richard Clayfield a ring to see if he was interested.”

The Glenroy-based Clayfield knows the litter well.

He owns and trains litter sister Glenville Rose, a winner of nine races at Tara Raceway.

He also trained Shimmy Sharna, of which he is still a part-owner, in her first two wins before the fawn bitch finding her way back to Smith’s kennels.

Her win over 400 metres last week at Gawler was the start of a couple of good days for the litter.

And Fab Six, who won his maiden at Tara Raceway at his first start for Clayfield, is now based in Victoria and has won 17 races.

Diva’s Secret was the first leg of a winning double for the long-time trainer who was more than happy with Curious Nick’s effort in the final event, the Trackside Meats 1-4 Wins Stake (512 m).

“I reckon that’s the best he’s gone,” Clayfield said.

“I thought he went to the line pretty well and his time of 30.08 seconds is easily the quickest he’s run.”

By My Redeemer, Curious Nick is out of Chit Chat Chicki, a winner at Wentworth Park, Richmond and Bulli.

Last Thursday’s double was Clayfield’s first since May 28, 2020 when he had been successful with Fab Six and Rouse Rocket.