EMOTIONS ran high for local trainer Mick Stringer after Victorian dog Banger Harvey scored an impressive win in the Bob Brown Memorial (Hobart Thousand consolation) over 461 metres at Tattersall’s Park last Thursday night.
Stringer was caretaker trainer for Robert Britton’s Group campaigner that demolished his rivals with a powerful display of front-running to easily take out the Hobart Thousand consolation.
During the post-race trophy presentation Stringer explained that the late Bob Brown was one of his mentors and most likely the person responsible for him becoming so involved with greyhound racing.
Bob Brown was regarded by most pundits as arguably Tasmania’s best ever trainer.
“Bob Brown was an absolute legend and everyone knows that in the greyhound industry but for me he also was a great mentor,” Stringer said.
“I can recall vividly my mate Garry Paige and I walking Bob’s dogs of a morning and helping out around the kennels.”
But I wanted to get involved in greyhound racing and it was Bob that gave me the encouragement and desire to follow through,” he said.
Stringer has gone on to become one of the state’s best and most astute trainers with his greatest triumph coming in the 2008 Hobart Thousand which he quinellaed with Little Spaniard and Topline Doovee.
Stringer said Banger Harvey was a very smart chaser and one that should be very competitive in more Group races.
“Rob (Britton) has a fair opinion of this dog and what he’s done while here in Tassie suggests he has a Group one win in him somewhere along the line,” Stronger said.
Listen to Peter Staples’ interview with trainer Mick Stringer – click here .