Gawler Race Review
A call “out of the blue” has resulted in trainer Nathan Goodenough obtaining a greyhound that was a winner at Gawler greyhounds on Friday afternoon.
Nathan’s winner came in race 4, a Grade 6 event over the 400m, which saw his runner, Shantui’s Ember jump straight to the front from box 2. Shantui’s Ember did not get it easy in the lead, as Bella Sweet (7) raced outside of Shantui’s Ember for the length of the back straight, and it was only as they neared the 643m boxes that Shanui’s Ember was able to open up a break over her rival. Shantui’s Ember won in a good time of 22.83 secs, with a margin of 2 ¼ lengths on the line over Bella Sweet for Michael Taylor of Windsor Gardens, with Hey Grace in third spot for Ray Murray of Reeves Plains.
Shantui’s Ember came into Nathan’s Kennel after receiving an unexpected call from Peter Gavin, a Victorian breeder, asking if he was interested in training the unraced black female. He agreed and so the dog started racing in SA six months ago, racing under the ownership of the Commandaway Syndicate, which is managed by Kathleen Gavin, with the members all hailing from Tasmania. Shantui’s Ember has shown its best form recently, winning the last two starts on end at Gawler in fast times, to take her tally to three wins and fourteen placings from 24 starts. Nathan put down the recent improvement to giving Shantui’s Ember a change of preparation by running at the Virginia straight track.
Nathan first got interested in the sport through his uncle, Allan McCulloch’s involvement, and owned his first greyhound when he was about 15. Then in 2005, Allan asked the question ”why don’t you train for yourself”. Nathan took up the challenge, but with limited success, so he abandoned that idea until about a year ago when his circumstances had altered. Living in the suburbs, Nathan is limited in the number of dogs he can have, but in looking to the future, has some racing age pups.
Nathan loves the nature of greyhounds and said that it is “a thrill to train them and see what you get as a result”, and he believes you only get out what you put in. Partner Emma is very supportive, and the children walk the dogs, and with his father Bob being previously an owner, it involves all the family.
The racing schedule at Gawler for this week is Friday afternoon, an extra meeting early on Saturday morning, Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon. Catering is available at each meeting, and if you are looking to have a meal on our popular Sunday night, please book with the Club on 8522 2935.
Pic: Nathan and Bob Goodenough with Shantui’s Ember (Kurt Donsberg Photography)