Sisters race into time-graded final

Sisters race into time-graded final

Cape Bridgewater owner-trainer Scott Blacksell, following 
an involvement in the sport of more than 20 years, landed his 
first double after litter sisters Mocambora Bella and Mocambora Izza were successful at Tara Raceway last Thursday.

The pair, $23 and $11 respectively, were contesting heats of the monthly Fast Forward 1-4 wins series (400 metres).

This is the series whereby the eight fastest greyhounds from the five heats, irrespective of finishing position, will contest Thursday’s added money final.

Mocambora Izza, the dog that won her maiden over 305 metres by 17¼ lengths back in April, was always on the pace in the third heat – the Gambier Vets Stake.

And turning for home, she railed through before running out a length winner over Caribbean Queen in 23.56 seconds.

In the previous heat, the Williams Crane Hire Stake, Mocambora Bella chased Little Cadillac until the home turn where she also railed through, eventually winning by 1½ lengths in 23.65 seconds.

Both Blacksell’s runners qualified for the final – Izza second fastest and Bella fifth.

Fastest qualifier was Glencoe trainer Dean Fennell’s $12 chance Johnny Deeds who raced away with the last heat to defeat Pirate Gold by 3¾ lengths in 23.53 seconds.

Fennell also has two finalists after Reoffender clocked 23.70 seconds when running a 1¾ length second behind Reality Pest.

By My Redeemer out of Raz’s Girl – a winner of 12 races over 400 metres at Tara Raceway – the Mocamboras, according to their owner-trainer, are part of a real team effort between him and his partner Jude Tait.

“Because most of our racing is done in Mount Gambier we were looking for SA-bred pups in order to take advantage of any breeding bonuses that might be forthcoming,” Blacksell said.

“We purchased these as pups from Allendale East breeder Dave Peckham and reared them at Cape Bridgewater before having them broken-in by Peter Byrne at Koroit.

“We have since purchased another couple of pups from Allendale East and now also have them home to be reared.

“It’s a bit of work but we pitch in as a team and days such as last Thursday certainly help to make it all worthwhile.”

Meanwhile, next month’s Fast Forward series will be run as a six-dog heats and final 1-4 wins over 512 metres.

The six fastest greyhounds from the heats, irrespective of finishing position will contest the added money final.


Tara Tipsters continue to donate to local charities

Another local charity will benefit next month when the Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club’s Tara Tipsters present a cheque to Four Reasons Why following the running of the FRW Tara Tipsters Cup at Tara Raceway on Sunday, July 10.

This will follow previous donations to the Sunset Community Kitchen, Foodbank, the Visually Impaired Club of Mount Gambier and the Grantville Court Thrift Shop.

After next month’s presentation, something like $10,000 will have been contributed to local charities by local greyhound track participants.

It all started when Kevin “KD” Douglas introduced a “Catch for Cash” initiative whereby some trainers, instead of paying people to catch their greyhounds after a race, donated the fee to the designated charity.

This still takes place but to follow was the Tara Tipsters competition whereby race track regulars at the Thursday and Sunday meetings donate to the cause and attempt to outdo one another in the tipping competition.

Each series runs for four months with the money accumulated then donated to the nominated charity.

Later in the month the MGGRC will stage the South East Football/Netball Clubs Challenge on Sunday, July 17.

The concept entails eight football/netball clubs being involved, each club drawing a greyhound in the SE Football/Netball Clubs Challenge final (512 metres).

The club drawing the winning greyhound will receive a trophy and framed photograph which will include players, members, supporters, etc.

Eight races on the day will carry the football/netball clubs’ names.

Organised by MGGRC president, Noel Perry, the challenge was first conducted in 2021 and proved successful after attracting one of the biggest crowds for the year at Tara Raceway.

The following week will celebrate 43 years of greyhound racing in the South East with the running of the Anniversary Cup (512 metres).

This was first conducted at Glenburnie in 1985 when won by the Hazel Lane trained Kenzel Lad.

The first Anniversary Cup run at Lake Terrace East was in 1997 and won by Becker McLaren in a time of 30.28 seconds for trainer Col Sims.

Last year’s winner was the Tracie Price trained Tandiki in a time of 29.75 seconds.

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