Gawler Racing - 15/11/20
With a new racing schedule starting at Gawler from 16th November, last week saw the final Friday afternoon greyhound meeting to be run in that timeslot there. The new racing times will be Wednesday afternoon and a return of the popular Sunday night racing.
Trainer Paul Fagan was the only trainer on the day to take home two winners for the day, with his first win coming in race 3, a Grade 6 event over the 400m trip. His runner, Pyrotechnic, jumped well from box 2 to take the lead, from Rock It Barcia (7), which was able to draw on level terms with the leader at the 643m boxes. Pyrotechnic was able to beat off that challenge, but then Hot Rocks (1) and Like A Librarian (8) joined in. Pyrotechnic was not headed, winning by ¾ length over Hot Rocks for Vadim Roz and Like A Librarian for Troy Murray.
Paul’s next win came in the following race, also a 400m Grade 6 event. Aston Whitney began like a rocket from box 8 to very quickly lead by four lengths from Justice For All (2), which was just ahead of Rapid Response (1). The others started making up ground on Aston Whitney, and half way down the straight, Aston Whitney, Rapid Response and Motor City Fury (7), which had railed through, were all on equal terms. However it was Rapid Response that took out the race in the final stages, running 23.10 secs to score by a length. Motor City Fury was second for Vadim Roz of Lewiston, and Aston Whitney for June Sharpe of Paralowie.
Paul trains both of the greyhounds for separate interstate owners. Pyrotechnic is owned by Robyn and Kevin Richards, with Kevin training the legendary Chariot Supreme many years ago. Rapid Response is owned by the Darnum Deadwood syndicate, one of many syndicates that are managed by Glen Pask, with Paul training for several of them.
Paul said that Pyrotechnic was a bit unlucky last start, and so he was not surprised that a win came his way this week. He has only had seven starts, all in SA, resulting in two wins. On the other hand, Rapid Response began his career in Victoria, before transferring to Paul, with two wins under his care.
Paul and his wife Leanne are based at Calomba, in the Adelaide Plains area, where they have a large establishment covering many aspects of the sport. Not only do they rear and train greyhounds, they also provide temporary accommodation for greyhounds in the Greyhound As Pets program. The Fagan s have recently branched out further and now offer Blazin’ Bomber at stud. So help is appreciated from their children, Brittany, Abbey and Jack. Despite Abbey being in her early teens, she has obtained a licence to handle greyhounds at the track, something that Jack is looking to achieve next year.
Paul backed the move of racing back to Gawler on Sunday nights, as it is good for the industry, the Gawler Club and the local community.
Pic: Paul Fagan with Rapid Response (photographer: Kurt Donsberg)