Quiet Confidence in 'What Remains'
By Brendan Lines
Greyhound racing at Gawler resulted in a maiden victory for the Sydney bred ‘What Remains.’ It was an encouraging victory for local Lewiston trainer Don Turner, whom expressed a quiet confidence in the black bitch’s future.
Race 2 of the day’s program saw the runners take to the track for the Gawler South Bakery Open Maiden Stake over 400m. Starting strongly amongst the early traffic from box 3, What Remains broke away from the challenges of Lizard Spock (5) and Forest Bale (1). Meanwhile the favourite Quite Contrary (6) was nowhere to be seen at the pointy end of the field, coming last out the boxes. Accelerating to the lead, What Remains pushed up on the rail and laid down the gauntlet for the field to challenge. Boss Happy Grot (7) pursued closely and on the home turn was well in ‘hock sniffing‘ distance of the leader. Boss Happy Grot pushed up the inside of the leader for the run home, but What Remains held off the challenge, coming home two lengths clear of Boss Happy Grot in 23.30 secs. Third went to Quite Contrary in damage control to recover lost ground, however found the rail and made a determined run home.
Since coming to Adelaide under Don’s training ‘What Remains’ has delivered improving results with every outing. Running its first trial just six weeks ago, this was followed by a fourth at Angle Park over 388m and a second at Gawler over 400m. Don expressed that in these early performances there was no doubt ‘What Remains’ was on its way to success over the shorter distances, but will also be competitive over the 500m trip. Don’s training expertise was referred to NSW owner Peter McCann by Peter's brother Ken. Don carries the title as 2012’s Country Trainer of the Year, so it’s no surprise that word had got around to the connections that he was the man for the job. So after a single phone call, ‘What Remains‘ and her brother were on their way to Don’s Lewiston property.
Beginning as a hobbyist trainer in 1980, Don is joined in his efforts by his wife Gail. In an effort to expand to full time training, they moved to Lewiston where they now run a 10 dog race team. This new addition can only be an encouraging sign of things to come for Don and Gail’s team. Amongst other notable efforts for the day was a trainers’s double to Troy Murray, with Aston Wingard and Van Charro Flash coming home with convincing victories, both over 400m. Racing returns to Gawler Tuesday November 18th, with a Sunday twilight on the 23rd. For more information see www.gawlergreyhounds.com, till then see you at the track