It did not take long for giveaway greyhound Aston Darwin to open his winning account for Mount Gambier owner-trainer Kevin Patzel.


Having his third start for Patzel, the win came at last Thursday’s Mount Gambier time-graded meeting at Tara Raceway in the Todd’s Photographics Fast Forward 1-4 wins one-off final over 512 metres.


And the son of Aston Rupee and Aston Opal never looked like being beaten when leading all the way from box two for a six length win over Way Cool in 29.64 seconds – a time that would not be out of place at a Sunday meeting.


Actually, being a Fast Forward final, the race carried Sunday prize money with Patzel collecting $1215 for the win and continuing a successful association with Dennington trainer Dustin Drew.


“I had previously raced a dog called Aston Reims. He also had come from Dustin as a giveaway and did pretty well with wins at Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge,” Patzel said.


“So when I was looking for another one to race I made contact again with Dustin to see if he had anything that might be suitable for over here.


“He suggested Aston Darwin, who had won a couple of races at Warrnambool, could be worth a try – although he did have a few hang-ups. But a couple of runs at the local track prior to his win last week seem to have switched him on.”


Patzel has also achieved considerable success with a greyhound called Wario which he purchased last year for $1000 after the son of Pindari Express x Fiery Crash had won three races at Dapto and Grafton.


He has since won eight races at Mount Gambier and nine at Murray Bridge while being trained by Patzel. And more recently, in the hands of Purdeet trainer Annette Kampman, Wario has won a further three races at Healesville and one at Mount Gambier.


Meanwhile, on track to witness Aston Darwin run the fastest Thursday 512 metre time this year at Tara Raceway was Patzel’s father Ralph, trainer of Ashanti Gem, winner of the first Mount Gambier Cup run at the Lake Terrace East venue in 1997.


Berringa trainer Michael Niele was back at Tara Raceway last week for the first time since a treble on Thursday, April 17 with Sherry Cherry, Cherry Time and Bridgewater Bob.


And this time he kicked off the day with litter quinellas in the first two races – Nicked Again, Fernando Lee and Berringa Paddy, What A Rought – by Fernando Bale out of Acoustic Lee and all four having their first race starts.


In the Winning Post Supplies Maiden Stake (305 m) it was Fernando Lee who led into the home straight before Nicked Again took the rails run and finished with a length to spare in 18.13 seconds.


Then in the Carlin & Gazzard Maiden Stake (305 m) Berringa Paddy and What A Rought fought out the finish with the former running out a two length winner in 18.42 seconds.


Bred at Paradise Beach by Brendan Brady, who also owns the winning pair, this is Acoustic Lee’s second litter – reared by Niele and his wife Vicki who was also on track last Thursday.


“I reckon they did pretty well today,” said Niele. “They are just pups starting off and have had no experience.”


Club to lose Thursday race meeting in June


Maintenance works to be carried out at the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s Tara Raceway in June will result in a Thursday time-graded race meeting being cancelled on June 12.


Mount Gambier’s next renovation has been scheduled to commence on Tuesday, June 10. Given the extensive work and the need for consolidation after the recent renovation, the next scheduled race meeting after Sunday, June 8 will be Sunday, June 15.


And as from July, 305 metre racing at Sunday meetings, under normal circumstances (sufficient nominations for 12 races) will comprise a maximum of four races – Maiden, Masters, Grade 6 and Grade 5 (or higher) – as the order of preference.


However, subject to nominations, it could be that extra 305 metre races will be run in order to facilitate a 12-race program.


Meanwhile, Allendale East trainer David Peckham reports that Bourne Model, recent Group 1 Sapphire Crown winner at Sandown Park, is currently with leading Queensland trainer Tom Tzouvelis.


Peckham said the aim of the relocation was to test the waters in relation to a start in the forthcoming $1m Group 1 Brisbane Cup in July.