Agreyhound by the name of Ralph The Rat surprised even his trainer – Garry Marshman of Heathmere – when leading all the way in last Thursday’s Greg Martlew Autos Maiden Stake (305 metres) at Tara Raceway.


Having his first race start, the February 2023 black dog defeated Husky Sing by a length in 18.00 seconds and gave Marshman his first local winner in 12 months.


Bred by his owner-trainer, Ralph The Rat is by Kuro Kismet out of giveaway greyhovund Crazy Old Duck, a daughter of Fernando Bale and Marcus Glory.


A winner of 14 races and more than $220,000 in prize money, Kuro Kismet is by Aston Dee Bee out of Mayfair Miss, a winner of only three races but a litter sister to Up Hill Jill, who won 38 races and more than $880,000 in prize money.


Crazy Old Duck, also trained by Marshman, won nine races at Mount Gambier, Warrnambool and Horsham, as well as running 33 minor placings in a 77-start career.


But even for a trainer boasting 43 years of involvement in greyhound racing, Ralph The Rat’s win was one that he did not really see coming.


“No, the way he started off I never thought that he would ever win a race,” Marshman said. “However, Nathan McKay of Toolleen did put a bit of work into him prior to racing and it was good that he was here today to see the win.”


Their involvement goes back to a time when they were both living at Warracknabeal.


Marshman said he was now holding out high hopes for a 13 month old pup by Bernardo out of Sharnee Rose, one of a very successful litter by Mepunga Blazer out of Colden Star.


Meanwhile, Hamilton mother and son team of Lorraine and Kyle Goodwin continued their good start to the year when Lie To Me led all the way from box three in the Produce Store TG1-4W Stake (400 m) for a length win over Duke Caboom in 23.33 seconds.


The win by the son of Bernardo and Habits To Burn took their tally of wins this year at Tara Raceway to eight. In 2024 the pair collectively trained 70 winners at the local track.


But things have become somewhat busier for the Goodwins over the past week following the whelping of Princess Kiwi’s litter of six dogs and two bitches by Aussie Infrared.


This is her fourth litter, her second – by Fernando Bale – includes Tara Raceway winners Princess To Burn and Kiwi To Burn from the Goodwin kennels.


“We purchased an Aussie Infrared straw from local trainer Tracie Price 12 months ago with the intention of breeding another litter with Princess Kiwi who is a daughter of Barcia Bale,” Kyle Goodwin said.


“In regard to breeding, the Aussie Infrared x Barcia Bale cross seems to work pretty well so hopefully something will also come from this mating.”


And kicking off a big week was Allendale East trainer David Peckham who landed four winners a couple of days prior at Murray Bridge straight track’s meeting with Ibrox Goram, Aston Azul, Aston Jimena and Aston Bright.


Kev Patzel also chipped in with a win with Wario which resulted in the Allendale East pair training half the card at the Murray Bridge meeting.


At Tara Raceway’s time-graded meeting a couple of days later, Peckham was successful with Classy Shot (Spring Gun x Daisy Maree) in the Trackside Pet Meats Pick 6 TG5+W Stake (400 m) in 23.32 seconds.


Later he brought up a double with Mocambora Mia who clocked 23.42 seconds when winning the Gordon Refrigeration TG5+Stake (400 m). The daughter of Superior Panama x Sweet On Me is raced by Scott Blacksell who found himself pledging another $50 to the Tara Tipsters charity jar.


Then, that night at Warrnambool, Peckham’s Bourne Lickety, a son of Feral Franky and Sweet On Me, overcame a slow start from box six in the third heat of a Grade 6/7 stake (390 m) to score an impressive three length win in 22.35 seconds.


He has drawn box eight in this week’s $2250 to the winner final.


And at the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s Australia Day Meeting on Sunday, Peckham picked up a couple of Australia Day medals with Sokita and Bourne Nancy.


Sokita led all the way from box five in the Metal Worx Stake (305 m) when defeating Jacaranda by 2½ lengths in 17.79 seconds.


Later in the day, in the Greg Martlew Autos Open Stake (400 m), rank outsider Bourne Nancy led throughout for a length win over Wilder in 23.13 seconds.


Certainly a productive few days for Peckham and his team at Bourne Kennels with 10 wins at three tracks in two states.