In Brief
- In-form Sparky Tiger chasing back-to-back victories in Launceston.
- The Gerrard family synonymous in Tasmanian racing for four generations.
- Stephen proud of long family history within the Deloraine community.
Graded sprinter Sparky Tiger is tipped to run a strong contest for Deloraine trainer Stephen Gerrard when she lines up from box eight in the Ladbrokes.com.au Grade 5 event over the 278 metres in Launceston on Monday night.
Those who associate with the Gerrard family know they have all been within racing in Tasmania for many years.
Stephen is the proud son of highly respected former thoroughbred horse trainer, the late Mal Gerrard.
The Gerrard family history is steeped back even further through to Fred Eade who is Stephen’s great grandfather. Fred had trotters in his time and also ran a successful blacksmith shop on Emu Bay Road next to Deloraine house.
Stephen’s grandfather Graham Eade worked in the family shop alongside his brother William and their father Fred.
Graham and William’s mother, Lila Oliver from Beulah, was also a horsewoman with trotters. Family matriarch Lila Eade wouldn’t miss the races, last attending on the day before her 100th birthday at Easter 1984.
Train driver Graham Eade married Vonnie Kelly from Ulverstone and their daughter and Stephen’s mother, Gayle, carried on the racing interest when she married a trainer of gallopers, Mal Gerrard formerly of New South Wales.
During his time as a trainer Mal claimed five premierships and won several big races.
Robin’s Boy (1968 Queen’s Cup), Win The Trick (1969 Devonport Cup), Red Tornado (1970 Launceston Cup) were among those greats trained by Gerrard including Ebon Beat winning the 1972 National Steeplechase at Deloraine.
Four generations on and Stephen continues the family involvement in racing this time with training greyhounds.
Since picking up the collar and lead four years ago Stephen has won 18 races from limited runners prepared.
Drawn out wide in box eight for the ninth race on Monday night, Sparky Tiger looks well suited to run a good race.
Trevor Cuttriss races the Fernando Bale x Amity Class sprinter having won three races with eight minors from 38 starts. The brindle female comes off a last start victory in Devonport last week running 25.80sec in beating Willies Falls.
According to the betting markets Blazing Arrow (box 1) and Winklee Wizard (box 6) share the favourtism at $3.50.
Sparky Tiger is next best with Bridwood Elle from box 2 at $4.40 with the remaining runners at double figure odds.
Monday night’s Launceston greyhound meeting will commence at 19:18 with all 10 races broadcast on Sky Racing 1 and TasracingTV.
Watch Sparky Tiger score her third career win jumping from box 6 in Devonport last week.