Dinali Keroma puts debut sire Dual Keroma on the map
Lightly raced Dinali Keroma last night scored a brilliant come from behind win at Gosford over the short 388m trip to take his career record to two wins from three starts for owners and trainers Ray and Susan Pitstock.
By anyone's admission the 22.50 win would not not normally warrant further inspection, but the son of Dual Keroma and Nialilli made up many lengths with 150m to go to secure the win.
The win was part of a winning running double for the Pitstock's who also won the previous race, the free-for-all grade 388m with Too Sassy.
Gosford Grade 5 388m May 23 2023 – Dinali Keroma (22.50) T: Susan Pitstock
Earlier in the night Pitstock's only other starter on the night, Anita Keroma, had finished second at huge odds over the 603m behind boom middle distance greyhound Like Wildfire in track record time.
Anita Keroma is a litter sister to Dinali Keroma and is one of only four greyhounds sired by Dual Keroma to have so far graced the track, all from the October 2020 Nialilli litter bred by Tasmanian breeder Darryl Fitzsimmmons.
The diminutive 27kg bitch is still a maiden after five starts but has been learning her craft over the middle distances in 0-3 wins races and has managed a second and third despite racing above her grade.
The Dual Keroma x Nialilli (Kinloch Brae x Lovers Tiff) litter comprised four dogs and four bitches who have all been named, with four so far starting on race nights.
Of the four greyhounds that have started, 31kg black dog Anndar Lodge has so far won two races at Hobart and Launceston from six starts, with a further two placings.
Anndar Train has raced just twice and been unplaced both times.
Anita Keroma has had five starts for two placings, but looks to have a future in middle and distance greyhound racing.
And Dinali Keroma is yet to be unplaced having had just three starts for two wins and a third.
Dinali Keroma had secured his maiden win at the same track and distance a week prior in a very quick 22.20, just outside the best of the night winning time of 22.06, but it was his last 100m that had greyhound fans take notice.
Gosford Maiden 388m May 16 2023 – Dinali Keroma (22.20) T: Susan Pitstock
The 31kg black dog has been racing short course distances but has given every indication that like his sire, he will relish stepping up to 500m racing and perhaps beyond.
Dual Keroma, by Lochinvar Marlow out of Duanna Keroma, raced 59 times for 21 wins, 11 seconds and four thirds, earning $97,085 in prizemoney for owners Ray and Susan Pitstock.
Dinali Keroma's recent wins have now give the unheralded sire a 50% runners to winners strike rate as a greyhound sire.
Dual Keroma was a reserve finalist for both the 2019 and 2020 Group 2 Gosford Gold Cups, and a finalist for the 2018 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder, and 2018 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, both at Wentworth Park.
The 32kg black greyhound was fastest qualifier for the 2018 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg through the semi finals.
Notably Dual Keroma is one of the few greyhounds standing at stud in Australia who has greyhound coursing form to his name, having won the 2017 Waterloo Purse at Longwood.
It was Wentworth Park where Dual Keroma excelled having has 32 of his career starts at the track over the 520m distance for 13 wins, six seconds, and one third.
Even in the twilight of his career at 4.5 years-of-age, Dual Keroma beat prominent greyhound stud sensation Feral Franky on merit at his favourite track, just a week after downing booming greyhound Pindari Express at the same circuit.
Dual Keroma has never been publicly advertised at stud but can be used by contacting owner Ray Pitstock.