Gawler Race Review - 24/07/2020
It was a family affair with plenty of admirers, when owner trainer Damien Smith scored his second career win at Gawler Greyhounds on Friday afternoon.
Damien Smith (with one of the twins, Bentley), Ross, Stefan, Lauren (with other twin Alegra), and Fab Six. (Credit: Kurt Donsberg)
In the third race of the day, a Grade 6 over the 400m journey, Damien’s runner was Fab Six. The black dog was out of box 7 and jumped to an early lead, with Be Careful Boss (8) slotting in behind on the rails. Fab Six sailed along in the lead and was unchallenged to win by just under three lengths, in a good time of 22.97 secs for his second look at the track. Be Careful Boss was second for Rebecca Romyn of Two Wells and Ackles (1) was third for Michael Stewart of Palmer.
Damien said after the race that he was pleased with the performance of Fab Six, which had improved on his previous time, run at his only other appearance at the track. The dog has now taken his tally to three wins and three placings from just nine races, so he is off to a good start. One of ten dogs in the litter that was bred by Damien from the breeding female Majestic Tale, Fab Six is one of four winners from that litter to have already won, with some members racing interstate. Damien was pleased enough with this litter to follow up with the breeding, and has a second litter ten months old.
Damien said it was a natural for him to be involved with greyhounds, as both his parents had trained while living in the Riverland. Damien has had a break from training over the years, but got back into it when he moved to Penola, where he whelped this litter, and also raced at Mt Gambier. Now residing at Reynella, Damien sometimes finds it difficult to get to Gawler during working hours, and this where his father, Ross, assists him greatly. Damien’s involvement has provided a catalyst for his father to re-engage with the sport, so much so that Ross is looking to get a training license again.
Also racing on Friday was Gawler 400m specialist BlacK Kruger, which has won all eight races that he has contested at the track. The brilliant performer has a great overall record, winning 16 and running 5 placings in just 29 starts. The secret to his winning is his ability to show very early pace to get to the front and then maintain it, and has been well prepared by Paul Bodsworth from Rhynie for Mildura owner Bronwyn Welsh.
Life at the track has returned to normal, while still following COVID 19 restrictions for operation, so please join the other new faces that now come to our races.