George Town trainer Gary Crane retired from work six years ago with the idea of breeding his own greyhounds with the dream of breeding another Wingarren which was one of his best dogs that he trained back in the early 2000’s
Wingarren who was runner up in the Devonport Cup and placed in the Tasmanian Derby won thirty two races from just seventy six starts including twenty one placings.
However after three unsuccessful litters he changed tack and bought a young El Grand Senor pup from NSW and after months of rearing, breaking in and trialling he won at his first start last night over the 278m scamper. Stumpy, aptly named because of his tail, won well and gave Gary a well-deserved victory flying out of the boxes recording 4.97 for the first split and winning by over 3 ¼ lengths in 16.13 which should indicate another win is just around the corner.
Another pup who won at her first start and is certainly worth following is Wynburn Arrow who is trained at Burnie by Ben Englund. Wynburn Arrow who is from their Wynburn Racing Syndicate’s Magic Sprite – Hayley’s Girl litter had been trialling well and was well supported in the market starting at $2.20 fav. Having the benefit of the red she flew round the Launceston circle setting splits of 5.04 and 17.57 eventually stopping the clock at an impressive 29.79 winning by over ten lengths. In the same race litter sister Wynburn Witness is also reported to have ability but was slow away and never really got warm to the last two hundred finishing fifth.
Blue McCool won the LGRC Premier Stakes last night proving again that greyhounds in form but rising in grade are quite capable of matching it against their new opposition.
Starting from the check he quickly assumed the front running setting splits of 5.05 and 17.64 before winning by 2 ½ in 29.95. Leon Brazendale has taken over the training of a number of Gary Johnson trained greyhounds and is winning races hand over fist.
Chicka Scott ran a creditable second for Owner trainer David Crosswell while Direct Current ran third for Shane Whitney.