AT THE FRONT WHEN IT MATTERS
In greyhound racing, often the greyhound that gets to the front first can often go on and win. However in one race at Gawler greyhounds on Tuesday, this was definitely not the case.
In the Greyhound Adoption Program Stake over 531m, the lead changed many times and the winner only became apparent in the final stages. Lektra Train from box 1 just lead out of the boxes from Hearts Of Fire (5) and Grantham Girl(6), but Cindy Lee (8) swept to the lead before the runners had turned out of the home straight. Hearts Of Fire then pushed up on the rails, but Cindy Lee was able to get to the front again. Around the back turn Dyna Denny (4) momentarily took the lead but Kaylarikki (2), which at one stage had been back some 5 lengths was suddenly up with the leaders.
Heading to the line, Kaylarikki was able to exert his strength and went on to win by nearly 2 lengths in a very handy time of 30.90 secs. Dyna Denny ran second for Lisa Rasmussen of Murray Bridge and Cindy Lee was third for Shaun Laffin of Maslin Beach.
Kaylarikki is trained at Port Pirie by Ray Burgess for Rachael Coleman in NSW. The greyhound was formerly trained by Rod Clark in Victoria and was sent to Ray, because it was thought the greyhound would responds better in a smaller kennel. Ray had accepted greyhounds from Rod previously, so it seemed like a good fit. The move has shown early results for Ray, with a win and second placing at Angle Park and today’s win from just the 3 attempts, making it a career total of 4 wins and 11 placings out of 23 starts.
Ray started training while living in NSW over 30 years ago and has continued while living at Port Pirie for some 14 years. Ray has 3 greyhounds in work and the only drawback is the travel required. The Port Pirie track closed some 3 years ago, and so Ray and others have to be prepared for some driving just to participate. So why put in the time travelling? Ray’s response was for the “love of the animal and the competitive nature of the sport”. With some assistance from his son Adrian plus his enthusiasm, helps keep him in the sport.
Another trainer who puts in the long hours to the track is Bernie Rogers from Coleraine in Victoria, who this week was rewarded when Celtic Boom won. Two regulars at the track both achieved doubles on the day. Lisa Rasmussen led in Junta Bale and reserve runner Yoslene Bale, while Karen Bearpark was a winner with Road Train and Mr Pipeline.
Racing at Gawler is every Tuesday afternoon, with the next Sunday twilight on the 29th September.