A COOL WIN
Running in the Adelaide Plains Veterinary Services Stake over 400m on Tuesday, Cool Frank from box 6 was the last away from the boxes. The honour of leading went to Lektra Joker out of box 8, which got out to a three length break at one stage.
Cool Frank ran on well outside the field to gather the others in when it mattered, and went on to win by nearly two lengths in the time of 23.28 secs. Lektra Joker (8) which looked to have the race all parcelled up, was second for Shaun Matcott of Murray Bridge, while third went to Scorch McBain (7), which had also run on well, for Todd Kelly of Middle Beach.
Cool Frank is owned and trained by colourful racing identity and commentator Ray Fewings. Ray said that rather than living up to his “cool” name, the greyhound tries to climb out the boxes before the start and is therefore at a disadvantage when they jump. “Tyson” has been in Ray’s kennel for about 2 months and was sent to him by a fellow pigeon racing friend in NSW. As his habit was to race wide in Sydney, he was sent to Ray to see if the greyhound was better suited in Adelaide. Ray said he has tried plenty of ways to correct his habit and was open to further suggestions. Tyson has won on the straight track at coursing which doesn’t involve boxes, and this should help as well.
Like a lot of other trainers, Ray, after an absence, got involved back in the sport to improve his own fitness. Ray decided it was just the thing to get him walking and he loves playing around with the young greyhounds. He also enjoys the companions he has at the track and appreciates the help he receives from Colin Doudle. And of Tyson’s future? Ray says he will run 500m so that might give him that bit of extra time to settle and win.
Winners were well spread around with only Shaun Matcott the only trainer to get into the multiples. His winning pair for the day were Allen Nathan and Daina Allen.
Racing is on every Tuesday afternoon with a Friday afternoon meeting on 9th August and a Sunday twilight on 18th August.