The return to Tara Raceway late last year of Dunolly training team Richard Boehm and Sandra Elmes had been their first time back in Mount Gambier with greyhounds since the pre-Covid days.
Back then they had enjoyed plenty of success at the time-graded meetings.
And it has not taken them long to pick up from where they left off almost three years ago when Petey Baqui had been successful over 400 metres.
First it was Chasing Her Tail who virtually led all the way from box eight in the Progreyhoundtips.com Maiden Stake (305 metres) when defeating Menari Stenosis by a length in 18.30 seconds at the December 29 meeting.
By Walk Hard, the sire of former Mount Gambier – 512 metre record holder Lektra Stomp, Chasing Her Tail is out of the first litter of Avatar Minty who Boehm described as being very fast early.
“Yes, she possessed plenty of early pace when winning 18 races and something like $27,000 in prize money.
“And she’s very well bred, being by the US sire KC And All out of maiden bitch Sabroni Mint, a daughter of Miss Elly Mint (44 wins for almost $200,000 in prize money),” he said.
“Interestingly, our first winner at Tara Raceway – in July 2018 – was a dog called Avatar Blaze, a litter brother to Avatar Minty.”
Boehm also related how things had not been all plain sailing when it came to Chasing Her Tail whose first win was at her 12th start and on the back of 11 unplaced runs.
“Her biggest problem is that she’s always been a ‘tail wagger’ which ultimately resulted in the tail becoming infected and part of it being removed.
“The only problem then was that she would not leave the bandage on and this ended in her having no tail at all.”
The Dunolly team was back again last Thursday and with four runners – three out of Avatar Minty and the fourth a daughter of litter sister Avatar Sparkle – in the Klaassens Contractors Stake, looked to hold a strong hand in the maiden event over 305 metres.
And it was Spellman, by American Monster out of Avatar Minty’s second litter, who overcame an ordinary start from box eight before running away to a 5¾ length win over litter brother Umbilical Man with a further half-length back to Chasing Barbie, a daughter of Avatar Sparkle.
Hooked on the dish lickers
It did not take long for Jarrad Williams, after making a few regular trips out to the Thursday afternoon greyhound meetings as a client of Claro/Quaran Care, to become well and truly hooked on the dishlickers.
However, Williams soon realised there was more to greyhound racing than just putting them in the starting boxes and watch them go around the track.
The local greyhound fraternity has certainly taken him on board as he now works towards obtaining an attendant’s licence which will allow him to catch greyhounds at the conclusion of their races.
So far, he’s permitted only to lead back greyhounds after their races in the company of a registered person.
But with assistance from participants such as Jason Newman, John Little, Kerry Hawker and Kevin Douglas he’s in good hands.
And spare a thought for poor old mum – Jo Williams’ taxi service.
One time it was simply a matter of being at the track just prior to the first race and then leaving straight after the last race.
Not now.
Her son needs to be on track to help Newman and co. prior to kennelling and to load up after the meeting is completed.
Twice a week, mind you.
Not just Thursdays but Sundays as well.
He’s also joined the Tara Tipsters competition.
Mum, figuring she was spending half her life at the track anyway, reckoned she may as well be in it as well.
So, what’s his favourite greyhound? “That’s easy,” he said.
“Harry Swagger.” Seems this dog is developing a cult following at Tara Raceway!
But early next month Williams will be missing from Tara Raceway for a week or so while he indulges in another of his passions – cricket.
Batting at No. 5, he’ll be in Brisbane representing South Australia in the ID Outdoor Cricket Carnival for a third successive year.
Also in attendance will be their ambassador – Australian international cricketer Nathan Lyon.
