Sunday Racing at Gawler
The feature race on Sunday night’s racing at Gawler, was the Final of the Jury@stud 531m event for Grade 6 greyhounds.
Three hotly contested Heats had been run the previous week, and the placegetters in each went through to the Final, making a very even field with plenty of winning chances. Jumping well from box 1, Blaze Maker took the early lead from Funambalist (8) and Charlie Brother (3). Around the first turn, Charlie Brother edged his way to the front, to lead by a narrow margin over No Good Deed (2). Charlie Brother found it hard to shake off No Good Deed, as the two runners settled down to fight out the result to the finish. Charlie Brother got the upper hand in the straight, winning by a margin of just over a length. No Good Deed finished second for Kim Johnstone of Two Wells, with third spot going to Blaze Maker, trained by Don Gordon of Glossop.
Charlie Brother has continued his recent good run, taking his winning streak to four, being successful in all his SA starts since arriving here from Victoria in February. The red brindle is trained by Paul Bodsworth at Rhynie, and is owned by the SWT Racing syndicate, managed by Damien Shaw.
In addition to the normal prizemoney, the connections of Charlie Brother also won a free stud service to Jury. The service was donated to the winner by local studmaster Ben Weidenbach, who is keen to create more opportunities for Jury. Ben was bitten by the racing bug many years ago, and then became involved as an owner of a couple of dogs, the most successful of which was Yes Chef with 21 wins. Developing an interest in reproductive services for animals, Ben learnt through an interstate expert how to freeze semen. That led to contacting a studmaster in Queensland, who offered to make Jury available to Ben. From limited opportunities, Jury has sired the winner of the Group 2 2020 Queensland Derby. Ben is not daunted by the task, and is keen to expand his venture by adding another stud dog.
Paul is pleased to have won the free service, and with two brood bitches at home, will certainly be looking to take advantage of the offer., so it was a win all round for both parties.
Two Preludes for the Eastar Match Race Series were run as well, and the Final of the Series will be run over the Easter weekend on Sunday 4th April. This is the first time this race will be held at gawler, and is a different concept to our normal racing, so why not come and have a look. Please book with the Club on 8522-2235 if you are having a meal, as this will prove to be a very popular night. Racing will also be conducted on Wednesday afternoon as usual.
Pic; Damien Shaw (black top) receiving the Jury stud voucher from Ben Weidenbach, (right) (race sponsor), and a happy group of family and owners, with Charlie Brother. Paul Bodsworth is at middle rear, white cap, glasses on head
Kurt Donsberg Greyhound Photography