Howard Ashton Final Review
Another major feature race was decided at Gawler greyhounds on Sunday night, with a large holiday weekend crowd in attendance.
This occasion saw the running of the Howard Ashton Final, a paid-up race series for SA Bred greyhounds, whelped in the first half of 2019. A prestigious race series with Group 3 status, it is run over the 531m journey, and usually raced at Angle Park, but is one of the races transferred to Gawler and Murray Bridge while that track is having a major update. Four fields contested the Heats, which the following week led into two Semi-finals, and then the $37 500 Final.
Interestingly only three litters were represented in the Final of eight runners, showing the dominance of those lines in the Series, but also making it a difficult task to separate the runners. A pretty even start however led to some interference on the first turn, and this had an early impact on the field, with further bumping shortly afterwards. When the field finally settled in the back straight, Victa Daryl found himself in front, with Victa Haydn just behind and Victa Grosso not far away.
As they passed the 643m boxes, Victa Daryl was challenged, with Victa Haydn taking the rails run and Victa Grosso an outside run, which saw Victa Haydn going on to win in 31.10 secs. Victa Grosso finished two lengths away in second position, with the unlucky and fast finishing Jack’s Well a further length away in third for Cam Butcher of Meningie.
Victa Haydn and Victa Grosso were two of the four Fernando Bale x Victa Victoria litter runners in the race and were trained by Tony Rasmussen of Murray Bridge, for the My Four Girls syndicate, managed by Kerry Braun. The litter was bred by Ron and Joan Schadow, and the syndicate consists of their daughters.
One of the daughters, Carol Hondow, said after the race that the win was absolutely sensational for Ron and Joan’s sake. She added that it is a great present for Ron, who will be is celebrating his birthday on Wednesday. Carol said that their greyhounds have always been a strong family affair, with all the adults and children helping out, over a long period. Carol was highly complimentary of the special job that Tony and Lisa Rasmussen have done with the litter, and have treated them as if they were their own. As a result, the syndicate members have helped out Tony and Lisa in return, where ever they can.
With the litter just two years old, and with each only having only a limited number of starts, this litter of “Victas” has shown enough at this stage to suggest that the syndicate will have a great chance of success and enjoyment with them.
The racing schedule at Gawler for this week is on Friday afternoon, 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.
Pictures: Kurt Donsberg Greyhound Photography