Persistence and Patience
An extra dose of persistence and patience paid off for Paralowie trainer June Sharpe at Gawler greyhounds on Wednesday afternoon.
Running in a Grade 6 event over the 400m trip, Aston Whitney from box 7, established an early lead over Breakfast Creek (2). Aston Whitney extended the early lead out to two lengths, before Breakfast Creek started to gradually gain ground near the 643m boxes. Entering the home straight, Aston Whitney held off the challenge, with Breakfast Creek unable to improve on its run. Aston Whitney scored a good win by just over a length over Breakfast Creek for Kevin Bewlley of Lewiston, with a fast finishing Stellar Jewel running into third for Paul Bodsworth of Rhynie.
June Sharpe was a very happy trainer after the win by Aston Whitney, which is owned in SA by Ray Borda. June was introduced to Ray some nine years ago, on the recommendation of leading trainer Troy Murray, with June striking up a training relationship with Ray ever since.
Aston Whitney, had two starts in Victoria without success before it was decided to send her to June. June’s judgement was that the dog required a lot of attention to her legs and muscles, and when presented in her first race in SA at Gawler, she was successful. However by running 23.80 secs in winning, June said that was the slowest maiden winner she had ever had, but thought there was a big chance of improvement. So she has persevered with the extra work and the black female has responded accordingly. June said that Whitney was a good box dog, and had led in all of her races. Remarkably she has had three starts from box 7 at Gawler and won all three. June believes that while Whitney is going well at Gawler she will leave her there, before racing her at Angle Park.
June put down her success with Whitney to the extra work and attention that you can give in a small kennel. She has treated Whitney like a small project, and is happy with her progress, particularly as her winning time on Wednesday was 23.06 secs, a massive improvement of about 11 lengths on her first win. June likes the satisfaction of achieving something with the dogs, and she is looking forward to having a top dog. If you are prepared to put in that effort, who knows where it will lead.
Racing at Gawler will continue at Gawler on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday nights, and we expect that the public can attend again shortly, please check with the Club on 8522 2935.
Pic: June Sharpe with Aston Whitney
Kurt Donsberg Photography