BACK UP TEAM COMES THROUGH
Lewiston trainer Ben Rawlings is currently interstate but that did not prevent his kennel coming up with two winners at Gawler on Friday afternoon.
Ben’s first winner came in a 400m Maiden, with his runner, Classy Blaze from box 2 getting away well, but was then headed by Bottled Fury (7), before regaining the lead and winning by 3 lengths. Puma Country (1) was second for Bob Isaacson of Lewiston, with Gateway Bliss finishing third for Chris Jaensch of Lewiston.
Ben trains Classy Blazefor the Four Frothys syndicate, managed by G.Pask. The black female has only had five previous race starts, with two of those being in Victoria being coming to SA in May. Those runs yielded two second placings, and Ben has a high opinion of her ability, noting that she had not had much luck in those races, and might be able to go on with it.
The other winner for Ben came in the next race, a Grade 6 event over the 400m trip. Missy Two Shoes (2) was able to take the front running, and lead for nearly the entire journey, with Green Black Sash (4) just back on the rails. In a very competitive finish, Green Black Sash hit the line first to win by less than a length from Missy Two Shoes which ran second, with Lookin’ Good (1) a whisker away in third spot. Missy Two Shoes is trained by Bob Isaacson and Lookin’ Good by Rob Harnas, both of Lewiston.
Ben is currently competing in the Winter Cup Final in Perth, so he has had to rely on a back-up team in his absence. Rising to the task have been his Gepps Cross football team mate Ricky Smith and Ben’s father Neil Rawlings. Ricky was relishing the task and the success today, cheekily suggesting that with these results in Ben’s absence, he might take over from Ben. Neil, who recently retired and has trained in his own right, described his role in the operation as varied and doing everything else that needs to be done. With some time now available, he is really enjoying his role, as greyhounds are great animals to work with. When Ben returns, he will have the confidence that everything is in place to continue the success, even when he is not there.
Gawler races every Friday in the late afternoon timeslot, and Tuesdays starting around midday.