Running treble has trainer ‘over the moon’
Lektra Moon’s win in Sunday’s John Reid Memorial Maiden (512 metres) at Tara Raceway capped off a pretty good day for Toolong breeder-owner-trainer Phil Lenehan and his Mepunga Blazer x Lektra Fire litter.
A $1.50 chance after a smart 30.05 seconds heat win the previous week, the black dog was in second spot behind tearaway leader Tortilla going down the back straight.
But off the back Lektra Moon took over the running, eventually going on to a 4¼ lengths win over giveaway greyhound Tortilla in 30.40 seconds.
Tortilla, owned and trained at Portland by Lizzie Boers, gave plenty of cheek for a $21 outsider. By Barcia Bale, she’s out of Stylish Moment who won 11 races at Tara Raceway, six of those over 600 metres for fellow Portland trainer Nicole Stanley who also bred the runner-up.
All told, it was a running litter treble for Lenehan after Lektra Violet led all the way in the Williams Crane Hire Stake (512 m) in 30.11 seconds. Where’s Goose, also, was never headed in the Gambier Vets Maiden/One Win Stake (512 m), when running 30.20 seconds.
For Lenehan, it was his first treble at Tara Raceway since Sunday, February 25, 2018 when Miss Ding, Lektra Viki and the former 512 metres record holder Lektra Stomp had been successful.
Speaking after the treble he said both Lektra Violet and Lektra Moon had now been sold to leading Adelaide owner Tim Aloisi.
“Currently I have 18 pre-trainers to sort out so I have to keep moving my dogs on,” he said.
Among the pre-trainers are members of Lektra Fire’s next litter – whelped in January 2020 and by Barcia Bale.
Meanwhile, members of the Reid family once again entered into the spirit of the day with their support of the John Reid Memorial which was first run in 2005 when won by Robert Halliday’s Itza Bee.
Spokesman Daryl Reid said the family was now looking at the introduction of a perpetual shield to commemorate the long-running event.
Photo: Handler Cap Abbott pictured with John Reid Memorial Maiden winner Lektra Moon and members of the Reid family.