GOT MY MOJO WORKING
It can be a bit disconcerting when you get back into greyhound training after a break, and using the same methods that previously made you successful, you don’t get the immediate results you are looking for.
Former trainer June Whyte has recently taken up the lead again and after several attempts she was able to get back on the scoreboard again. On the prior Sunday, June was successful with Premier Spot, which won by the narrowest of margins, but gave June her first win in many years.
June didn’t have to wait as she provided a winner at the very next meeting on Tuesday in the Bunyip Open Maiden over 400m. Larrikin Streak jumped well from box 1 to lead from the reserve runner Meteor Collision (2), but they were both quickly swamped by Prinny Fidget (6), who went straight to the front.
Prinny Fidget opened up a 4 length break down the back straight, whileFlying Knocka (5) and Cosmic Kristie (8) both got a clear run and started after the leader. In the home straight, Prinny Fidget drifted a little to the the middle of the track, with Flying Knocka making up a lot of ground on the rails. However Prinny Fidget was going too strongly and held the lead to win by a bit over 2 lengths in the time of 23.15 secs.
Flying Knocka ran second for Lewiston trainer Bob Isaacson, with Cosmic Kristie third for Richard Pearce of Lewiston.
Prinny Fidget is trained at Elizabeth East by June Whyte and owned in partnership with husband Jim. June has been out of racing for about 12 years, having started over 40 years ago. An involvement with horses and dressage in particular took up June’s time in the gap, but now with changing circumstances, June was looking for an interest and got back into greyhounds.
Her son Terry and family got involved a couple of years ago, and with Jim getting keen on the idea as well, it seemed the right way to go. June bought Prinny Fidget from local breeders Judi and Peter Hurley.as a more mature pup so that she could start almost straight away.
The author of a book on how to train greyhounds, June admitted she was getting a bit concerned before the two wins that she might have “lost her mojo” for training winners. It looks as though it might be back! And has the scene changed in her absence? June thought it was now better for the “backyard” trainer and much easier to get a race start – “fantastic’ was her comment.
Murray Bridge trainer Lisa Rasmussen was the only trainer to produce a double on the day, with Kenta Bale and Nigel Bale successful.
The Bunyip Gawler Gold Cup on Sunday 3rd November is not far away now, so put the date in your diary. In the meantime, racing will be on Sunday 27th (twilight) and the Cup heats will be run on Tuesday 29th, which will be a night meeting.