Success for local harness racing identity
Mount Gambier-based David Drury, better known in harness racing circles, found himself among the dishlickers at Tara Raceway on Sunday afternoon. Drury was on track with his partner Andrea Hann, daughter Asha and mum Chris to watch the greyhound Albuquerque – of which he is one of four shareholders – contest the Exchange Printers Stake (400 metres).
And they couldn’t have picked a better day. Compton trainer Tracie Price was running hot – Albuquerque joining kennelmates Starlight Trent, Starlight Gemma and Sonic Sammy to give Tara Raceway’s leading trainer another four winners for the day. Chasing his first success at the local track after a maiden win at Ballarat back in June, Albuquerque was always on the pace before finishing strongly in the run home when defeating Reoffender by 1¼ lengths in 23.58 seconds. The blue dog is raced by the Drury-managed What Were We Thinking Syndicate which also includes workmates Jack and Bryce Radley, along with Brayden Steen.
“We work for a local plumber so the interest in Albuquerque gives us something else to talk about at lunch time,” Drury said. By leading sire Fernando Bale out of city-winning stayer Cosmic Vee Bee, the dog was purchased by the syndicate as a pup in Victoria.
“Asha actually picked him out as a pup because she liked his colour,” Drury said. “We then left him in Victoria to be reared and then later trained. But after winning his maiden and running a few placings at Horsham and Warrnambool it appeared as though he might have met his mark.
“Tracie took over Albuquerque in August and it was a big thrill for the family to be on track to see him win at what was only his third run at Tara Raceway.”
Drury also recalled how he had previously been involved with a greyhound some years ago when based at Glencoe.
“I was living next door to Barry Shepheard who is now the chief steward here at Tara Raceway. But at the time he was training greyhounds. Somehow I ended up with a share in a dog called Holly Noely.
“That would have been back in the early 2000s and he did win several races over 277 metres. Back then it was all a bit of fun – as it still is.”
Photo: Chris and David Drury, Asha, Tracie Price and Andrea Hann pictured with Albuquerque after his win at Tara Raceway on Sunday afternoon.