Going the distance (Gawler)
It sometimes takes a while to sort out the most suitable races for a greyhound and one that has taken a shine to mid-distance racing added another win at Gawler on Tuesday.
In the Gawler Farm Machinery Stake over 643m, Wise Chief from box 4 led the field from One Sav (5) and Handsome Blue (1) around the first turn. Wise Chief went out to a three length lead over Handsome Blue, with the field strung out in Indian file.
As the runners approached the back turn, the well fancied Handsome Blue made its move, taking the inside run and the lead. From that point on, Handsome Blue drew away from the field and went on the win by over six lengths in the time of 37.66 secs. Ping King (3) which had always been well placed in the field, ran into second placing for Rebecca McAuley-Fry and early leader Wise Chief was third for Laurie Cahalan of Grange.
Handsome Blue is a blue brindle and white greyhound, trained by Lauren Harris for B.Kernick, D.Baldwin and W.Barr. Lauren, who is based at Callington, has Handsome Blue racing in good form since switching him to 600m events. In his first 14 starts over the sprint distance, he had won only the one race, but since the change, has won five in the next thirteen. He has shown a liking for the 643m distance at Gawler in particular, winning four and a second from just six starts. While he is racing in such good form, and over the distance he loves, there is no reason why he shouldn’t score a few more wins.
Two Wells trainer Michael Giniotis doesn’t bring a lot of runners to Gawler, but still managed to score a double with Time For War and Bugsy Taylor both winning. Gawler River trainer Tony Lagana had runners at both ends of the experience scale with Flash Tyson scoring a win at her first start, while Gawler Trackstar winner Avid Tyson won her 29th race at Gawler. Both greyhounds are from different litters from the same mother, Avid Willow.
Racing at Gawler will now be every Tuesday afternoon and every Sunday twilight, until a break for the Gawler Show, later in August. Always check out www.gawlergreyhounds.com for racing news and calendar updates.