Koroit owner-trainer Gerald McKenna, one of greyhound racing’s good guys, had been missing from Tara Raceway for some time.
And according to his Koroit mates, Peter Keane and Lindsay Brookes – also heavily involved with the dishlickers – McKenna had been doing it pretty tough as he battled a rotten run of ill health.
Early last month, though, he was back, not only accompanied by his mates but also with a young first starter called Crimson Bay who he had bred and owned and was now training.
While Crimson Bay’s first three runs over 305 metres had all resulted in unplaced efforts, it was a different story at last Thursday’s Tara Raceway time-graded meeting.
Lining up from box eight in the Carlin & Gazzard Maiden Stake (305 m), the daughter of Worm Burner and Zipping Melody made a one-act affair of the race when leading all the way and defeating Demon Stynes by 6½ lengths in 18.24 seconds.
To describe it as a popular win would be an understatement.
McKenna, a former dairy farmer, reckons his involvement with greyhounds probably goes back something like 20 years, although he’s not really sure.
“I have had a few handy dogs over the journey but certainly no champions,” he said.
McKenna said Zipping Melody, a daughter of Fernando Bale and Cho Chang, had found her way down to Koroit from NSW in early 2019 after having won a maiden at Nowra.
“She won four races for me at Mount Gambier over 400 metres with the last one being at the end of February 2020.
“And that had been my last winner here until her daughter won today,” he said.
“Crimson Bay is from Zipping Melody’s second litter, of which I kept two.
“Her first litter, by Zipping Garth, is still yet to produce a winner.”
But McKenna has not given up just yet on the first litter.
Some years ago he purchased several Engine Alley straws for $200 each.
Then, in early January 2022, he mated the unraced litter member Anntonia Bay with the son of the imported Razldazl Billy and Zarbo.
Engine Alley won 12 races from 27 starts during 2012 and 2013 while Zarbo was successful at seven of her last eight starts over distances ranging from 650 metres to 730 metres.
“Anntonia Bay whelped three dogs and two bitches in March last year so now I’m hoping that before too long I’ll be able to bring some of her pups over to race at Mount Gambier,” he said.
Meanwhile, Portland owner-trainer Robert Halliday enjoyed his best day at the track since August 2021 when Yadillah Son and Compton Robbie were successful at last Thursday’s meeting.
Always on the pace in the Gordon Refrigeration Maiden Stake (305 m), Yadillah Son finished powerfully in the run home to defeat Black Street by 1¼ lengths in 18.08 seconds.
The black son of Bernardo is out of Spirited Bingle who won 14 races at Mount Gambier and one at Angle Park for Halliday.
Later in the day Compton Robbie brought up the double after overcoming trouble on the first turn in the Metal Worx Stake (512 m).
He then worked home well when defeating Where’s My Cash by 2¾ lengths in 30.20 seconds.
Back on August 12, 2021 Halliday had landed a treble at Tara Raceway with This Time Bro, Rotate and Shady Past.
Several days later Compton Robbie was back at Tara Raceway for the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s Sunday meeting.
And stepping up in class, he turned in a big effort to come from a fair way back in the Gordon Refrigeration Stake (512 m) when running out a 2¼ length winner over Worry Less in 29.82 seconds.
The win was also the second leg of a double for the Glen Gallon x Lots Of Yap litter after the Tracie Price trained Gallon Of Yap three races earlier had led all the way for a narrow win in the Trackside Meats Stake (400 m) over Mighty Molly in 23.17 seconds.
Gallon Of Yap is raced by Ben Boers who also owned and trained Lots Of Yap.
Gaining a start as a reserve runner, she was the memorable winner of the 2015 Mount Gambier Cup.
A stud service to Glen Gallon had also been part of that year’s cup prize.
