Koroit greyhound Mr. Quirky qualified for Thursday’s Fast Forward final over 512 metres with a 2½ length heat win in last week’s Icon Signs TG1-4W Stake.
Trained by Lindsay Brookes for the Many Winners Syndicate, the son of Zambora Brockie and Sisco Sizzle took up the running off the back when defeating Cawbourne Attack in a time of 30.01 seconds.
The win was the black dog’s first since last November and his first-ever win over 512 metres after four previous unplaced runs over the distance.
With the eight fastest greyhounds from the two heats making their way through to the final, irrespective of finishing positions, Mr. Quirky qualified in third spot.
Later in the day, Brookes brought up a double when Family Friend gained a run as a reserve.
The son of Tommy Brislane and Sunningdale was always on the pace from box one and held off Give Me Love to win the Exchange Printers TG1-4W Stake (400 m) by a neck in 23.85 seconds.
The double was the first for Brookes at Tara Raceway since November 30 last year when he had been successful with Swirling Miss and Mr. Quirky.
Time honours for the Fast Forward heats went the way of the Tracie Price trained Aston Verona – also a winner at her first 512 metre start the previous week – in a time of 29.88 seconds in the Produce Store TG1-4W Stake.
Raced by Ray Borda, she is a white and blue daughter of Fernando Bale and Aston Nova, currently Tara Raceway’s leading brood bitch this year with 14 wins.
Aston Verona found the front down the back straight before running out a 1¼ length winner over Kiwi To Burn with a further length back to Starlight Jewel.
The second and third placegetters also made their way through to the final for Hamilton mother and son team, Lorraine and Kyle Goodwin.
Teaching the truth about greyhound racing
North Shore Kennel (NSK) is based in the US in Abilene and raises, trains and retires National Greyhound Association racing greyhounds.
Given the importance now attached to the rehoming of greyhounds in Australia, NSK’s “teaching America the truth about greyhound racing” is of some interest.
Greyhounds are not used to being alone.
They’re always with other dogs or humans and have the ability to run every day.
They play with toys and nobody tells them they cannot shred them.
They get to chase at full speed in a safe area made just for greyhounds and they have a blast doing it.
Because they are greyhounds that get to grow up with their littermates, are kennel trained, handled extensively and are well socialised.
But while a retired racer when adopted can seem sad do not blame its past.
Just know it is sad because it misses all this – the previous life had been fun and exciting every single day prior to adoption.
Being home alone from 9 to 5 was never part of its schedule.
No, the alone time consisted of being kennelled alone but still having the company of plenty of buddies.
So, their stomach does not agree with the kibble you choose? This is probably because they have been fed the best diet possible from several weeks of age onwards.
Instead of blaming their past be
proud of it.
Be proud they were loved and cared for from the second they were born.
And be proud of their career as professional athletes.
But the adopted racer will be happy again because the adopter is going to give it a new purpose that fulfils all its needs.
The life will certainly be different from what it had known but that does not mean the past, present or future should be viewed negatively.
Because once a bond has been created with the newly-adopted racer it will soon be apparent why they make for such awesome pets.
Meanwhile, Mount Gambier Greyhounds As Pets (GAP) assessments will be held on Tuesday, July 2 from 3.30pm to 6pm Booking day is on Tuesday, June 25.
