For local owner-trainer Christine Yourgules it’s been a case of renewing acquaintances with the  strikingly-marked white and blue greyhound, these days known as King Carey.

Yourgules, who helps out at David Peckham’s Bourne Kennels at Allendale East, was on hand when Panda Bale, owned by leading SA owner Tim Aloisi, whelped to Fernando Bale in early July 2019.

Old-timers of the sport would have con- sidered this a perfect age for the pups.

“With his colours and markings, he was definitely the best looking dog in the litter,” recalled Yourgules who, as it turned out, got to spend plenty of time with the pups as they were also reared at Bourne Kennels.

In time the litter found its way to Victoria.

But, after six unplaced runs at Geelong, Cranbourne, Warrnambool and Ballarat, King Carey found his way back to Allendale East – much to the delight of his number one fan.

“I was so happy that I almost cried when he returned to Bourne Kennels,” she said.

Maybe a maiden 305 metres win and four consecutive third placings over 400 metres at Tara Raceway was not quite what Aloisi had been looking for.

However, when he decided to move King Carey on he did not have to look too far for a buyer.

“To be honest, I never thought that I would ever own him,” Yourgules said.

“I’m now racing him in partnership with Dita (Mitchell) who had been a great help to me when I was starting out in greyhound racing.”  And when King Carey lined up in yes- terday’s Produce Store 1-4 Wins Stake it  was his first start over 512 metres at Tara Raceway and his first outing for his new owners.

But the step up in distance did not present too many problems for the King.

He rounded up the front-running See Me Socks down the back before going  away to a five lengths win in 30.32 seconds – marginally quicker than Allinga  Chloe in the only other 512 metres race on the day.

Speaking after the race, Yourgules said she had been confident King Carey would run out a strong 512 metres.

“He would not have blown a candle out at the end of his 400 metres runs so I did not think he’d have too many problems with the 512 metres.

“Actually, I’ll be very surprised if he does not run out a strong 600 metres.

“But in the short term David is now  preparing him for Sunday week’s age-re- stricted Winter Classic heats (512 m).

“And with this series being for dogs and bitches whelped on or after July 1, 2019, he certainly will not be giving away anything when it comes to age.”  Meanwhile, Mitchell tasted success in her own right at Murray Bridge on  Wednesday when Our Purpose was successful up the 300 metres straight.

Border challenge postponed again The 2021 Mount Gambier v Warrnambool Border Challenge for the second time this year has been postponed due to Covid-related border issues.

The final had been set down to be run at Tara Raceway on Sunday, August 29 over 512 metres.

As a lead-up, heats at both Warrnambool and Mount Gambier would have been run in order to determine the eight finalists.

The inaugural Border Challenge was run over 450 metres at Warrnambool in 2019 when won by Phil Lenehan’s Lektra Fireball.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid while the first challenge to be staged locally was initially set down to be run in June this year.

Warrnambool club manager Craig Monigatti and Mount Gambier president Noel Perry both reiterated this week their clubs were still more than hopeful the Border Challenge would be run this year.

“We’re really looking forward to playing host to the Warrnambool club,” Perry  said this week.

“And besides that, with prizemoney of close to $6000, the Border Challenge will give participants something to strive for.”