Springvale Cher Cracks Her Maiden In 40th Start
No Longer a Bridesmaid - Springvale Cher Cracks Her Maiden In Her 40th Start
It took 40 attempts, but Springvale Cher finally got on the winner’s podium Sunday night at Gawler! It had been a long road for the 3-year-old girl, amassing 23 placings over 39 starts over her racing career – which equates to a massive place percentage of 60%.
Springvale Cher is by Fabregas and Springvale Bryne, a very successful stayer who amassed over $120,000 in stakes and ran 3rd in the Group 1 National Distance Final for SA here at Angle Park in 2016. Cher shares progeny with Springvale Shine and Springvale Slick who hold staying qualities, as well as Established and Thunder On who are both high speed dogs.
Owned and bred by Gavin Harris, Springvale Cher had been trained by Harris, as well as Barry Stewart, before making the move to the Giniotis kennel last month.
“I only had one other dog in my kennel, Mai Tai Focus, so I was on the lookout for another greyhound for company. I made a few phone calls and Gavin was happy for me to train Cher, who is quiet as a mouse in the kennels but has some tenacity on the track which I think she gets from Fabregas.” Trainer Michael Giniotis of Two Wells explained.
Starting from box 8 over the 531m distance in race 2, Cher as she’s known at home, found herself battling for the lead along the back straight after a strong start, managing to overcome Way Out by the home turn and pulled away to win by 2.5 lengths from Barely’s Gem at nice odds of $13.20.
“Being a small girl at 25kgs and not being overly blessed with talent, she needed everything to go right to get her first win which she did last night. She just loves to run and watching her win last night made all the work even more worthwhile. It is great to share the experience of winning with your greyhounds.”
“I gave her a hug after the race. All the other trainers in the race were happy to see her win which you don’t see too often! It was also great to get the win for Gavin Harris as he has bred and owns her.” Michael continued.
Now that she has broken the hoodoo, who knows what is on the horizon for Springvale Cher!
Photo: 40th time's the charm. Springvale Cher gets her first win.
Photo credit: Kurt Donsberg Photography