Former NSW trainer Greg Broad, who recently made the decision to set up in SA, was rewarded with his first win at Gawler greyhounds on Tuesday.
In a Grade 6 event over the 400m trip, Pictish Mark from box 4 went to the front shortly after the start to lead from Spring Scorpion (6) and Woodside Zorro (8), close behind. As they rounded the turn at the 643m boxes, Spring Scorpion gradually got on even terms with Pictish Mark, before going to the lead as they entered the home straight, winning by nearly 5 lengths in a good time off 22.82 secs. Pictish Mark finished second for Mick Giniotis of Two Wells and Woodside Zorro ran third for Graham Smith of Woodside.
The winner is owned and trained by Greg Broad, who has recently moved to Murray Bridge. This was Spring Scorpion’s third run at the track, and benefitted from his previous starts there. Having a large kennel at Spring Hill in NSW, Greg decided he would like to get out of the hustle of busy life there, which required a four hour drive to the city race track, and settle somewhere quieter. He liked the look of racing in SA, and he and his wife Helen decided to move to Murray Bridge and set up new kennels, not far from the proposed new track in the town.
Greg likes to breed his own stock and names them all with the “Spring “prefix, in recognition of his NSW location. His first impressions are that it is really good here, and has found everyone helpful which has made him happy with the move. He decided that as he is now in “retirement”, his intention is to have a small team of up to 15 greyhounds, which he and Helen can effectively handle together, at a more leisurely pace.
Lewiston trainer Ben Rawlings scored the only double of the day with an all the way win to Marley Bale, and another win to Crunchin Numbers who made it 8 consecutive wins. This includes winning a special event at Angle Park, and with a terrific record of 16 wins and 6 placings from 26 starts in total.
Gawler racing continues every Tuesday and Sunday twilight. Even with the current cold weather, you can enjoy good racing, and an excellent meal in our warm surroundings.
Greg Broad and Spring Scorpion
Photos courtesy of Arclight Photography