There were no problems with the first four races at Tara Raceway’s time-graded meeting last Thursday. Then the claps of thunder kicked in and 16mm of rain bucketed down in the space of 10 minutes.
At one stage it appeared as though the meeting could have ended as a four-race affair – a bit like the fixture last summer that was called off due to the extreme heat after three races had been run.
But an hour or so later – and after some frantic work on the track – the race five greyhounds were ready for take two of the Commercial Hotel TG5+W Stake over 512 metres.
Six of the eight runners took their place after Velocity Lotus and Mepunga Roz were scratched without penalty.
As far as Compton Robbie was concerned, another hour’s wait probably was not going to bother Portland trainer Robert Halliday too much.
After all, the win of the son of Glen Gallon and Lots Of Yap was his first since February 22 at Tara Raceway.
Chasing his 13th win, the black dog, after being well back early, finished strongly when defeating Aldren Bale by three-quarters of a length in 30.60 seconds.
And the day did not end too badly for Halliday who also led back four minor placegetters.
Actually, given the earlier conditions, the omen bet of the day was surely Myola Thunder, one of the fancied runners in the Icon Signs TG5+W Stake (400 m) for Purdeet owner-trainer Annette Kampman.
Away well from box seven, the son of Aussie Infrared and Pocket Queen chased the Halliday-trained Wangler for much of the journey before finishing over the top of the early leader for a half-length win in 23.56 seconds.
And his win in the tenth race wrapped up a pretty good day for the lady trainers who led in five winners.
Linda Gore, of Warrnambool, kicked off the day for the girls with a win in the first, the Federal Hotel Maiden Stake (305 m), with Moonlight Oscar.
By Koblenz out of Swift Brittany, the fawn dog commenced his racing career the previous week with a 1½ length second to Magic Mack in 17.94 seconds.
Settling in behind Menari Ace, Moonlight Oscar took up the running off the back and went on for a 3 length win over the early leader in 17.89 seconds.
A running double in races two and three for Hamilton trainer Lorraine Goodwin continued her good run at Tara Raceway this year and now sees her sitting in sixth spot on the Ian Badger trainers’ list with 30 wins.
Lining up in the second race from box eight, Lust To Burn led all the way in the Da’Leni Meats TG1-4W Stake (305 m) and brought up her second win with a 2¼ length win over Impress Joe in 17.79 seconds.
Then, in the following race, the Metal Worx TG5+W Stake (400 m), Kiwi To Burn led all the way for a 3¾ length win over Grumpy Sailor in 23.31 seconds.
Edenhope trainer Kerry Hawker took her tally to 33 wins when Kerry’s Cadillac led all the way in the Greg Martlew Autos TG5+W Stake (400 m) and defeated kennelmates Argyle Kinloch and Cadillac Girl in 23.73 seconds.
Meanwhile, later in the day, veteran chaser Crymelon Comet chased home Starvin’ Marvin at what was start number 144.
Whelped in April 2019, the son of Hawk Alone and Crymelon Holly is a winner of 12 races and more than $50,000 in prize money.
The red brindle dog is owned and trained at Warracknabeal by Ian Bibby – president of the Horsham Greyhound Racing Club.
And Bibby reported the six-year-old Butternut – a daughter of David Bale and Pah Leeze – who last raced at Tara Raceway only last month before being retired with 11 wins and $20,000 in prize money, has been mated with Crymelon Comet.
Training honours for the day went the way of Tracie Price and Jason Newman who both landed trebles.
Price was successful with Compton Tilly, Barra Banjo and Starvin’ Marvin.
Newman’s treble was with Turning Oak, Hotfoot Lump and Paw Some Shade – his first this year.
