It is not often that you can get the chance to purchase a racing greyhound that already has your name, and then have it win as well.
That’s what happened at Gawler greyhounds on Tuesday, in race 6 on the program, a Grade 6 event over 400m. As the lids went up, Mister Mann from box 2 shot to the front, with reserve runner Nippa Wah Wah (3) giving an early chase. However Mister Mann had too much up his sleeve and ran out to a five length break over Gamer Bale (5), which was unable to bridge the gap. Mister Mann was untroubled and went to the line four lengths clear of Gamer Gale, in a fast time of 22.76 secs. Gamer Bale was second for Tony Hinrichsen of Monarto South, with Nippa Wah Wah running third for Todd Kelly of Two Wells.
The winner, Mister Mann, is owned and trained by Neil Mann at Kalbeeba. Neil Mann explained that his wife Teresa Mann had spotted the brindle dog for sale in Victoria and thought with a name like that, it had to be an omen. So they checked it out, and as the form stacked up well, they bought it and Mister Mann’s first race for the new owner was in July 2016. Mister Mann recorded two wins in a handful of starts, before going amiss in a race at Angle Park in September.
Neil Mann decided to give the dog every chance and gave him a long spell to allow time to recover. Neil Mann also decided to have a break himself, and pursued a business opportunity, while giving all his dogs a rest from racing. This has worked well, with the dog showing good form to win first up after the 5 month break. Neil and Teresa Mann only have a small team of 7, plus a breeding female, but that keeps them busy while still enjoying the sport.
Murray Bridge trainer Wendy Matcott was the only trainer to score multiple winners, with Allen Robbie and Opal Bale both successful.
Gawler races every Tuesday afternoon and Sunday twilight, so If you want to see good racing while enjoying a meal, then join us at the track.
Neil Mann with Mister Mann
Photos courtesy of Arclight Photography