Moree October Long Weekend Carnival Hailed A Triumph
Greyhound racing at Moree over the October long weekend has been a resounding success with strong crowds and even stronger competition.
Saturday's meeting was held in the afternoon's hot conditions, with the mercury climbing beyond 33 degrees.
The Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association (GBOTA) Stakes race was taken out by favourite How Black, trained by James Vassalo of Smithfield.
Harbour Gold, a favourite trained by Brian Francis of Ferndale, dominated the ‘Blue Paws Bonus' Stakes Maiden; it decimated the field and won by over 12 lengths.
The Asure Country Cup was won by another favourite, Stand Up Tracy trained by Tamworth trainer, Rosalie McIvor.
The Barwon Security Services Stakes were taken out by Asphyxiate, which was trained by Mal Suckling of Baan Baa.
The next race was another GBOTA Stakes race and was taken out by Goroma Girl, trained by Mervyn Pratt of Warwick.
Goroma Girl was one and a half lengths ahead of Shidoshi, which was almost four lengths in front of Pure Image.
There was some success for Moree trainers on Saturday, with Maralyn Moore training two place getters, while Morton Townsend and Neil Dallison each trained one.
While the heavens opened on the morning of yesterday's meeting, the rain stopped prior to the first race and didn't affect the meeting.
The design of the track allowed the surface water to run down the bank, the track kept its firm rating for the meeting.
The early rain didn't deter a healthy crowd from attending the event, which was almost as well attended as Saturday's meeting.
The feature race of yesterday's meeting was the New South Wales GBOTA Outback Fly Final, which was won by Danny Phantom, trained by John Falvey.
The Joe Sabine and Max Hobday memorial was won by Karl Miller of Beechworth and his grey Bago Raider, after Stad Up Tracy was pipped at the post.
The Moree Services Club Outback Final was taken out by the favourite from Casino, Pure Shot, trained by Robert Andrews.
There was some local success with Moree trainer Maralyn Moore winning race five with her entrant McCuddin.
Organisers were pleased with the sponsorship of this year's greyhound racing and are hoping to gain more sponsors in 2009.
Sponsorship packages are not financially expensive and they help the club to cover the costs of maintaining the course and holding race meetings.
The club finances appear strong at this stage and the club should finish in the black this year.
Three awards were given out at the conclusion to the carnival for the greyhound of the carnival, the male trainer of the carnival and the female trainer of the carnival, which included the two long weekend meetings and also the meeting held on September 27.
While unconfirmed, Bryan Francis of Fernvale was ahead in the male trainer of the carnival, while June Lanesbury of Curlewis was leading in the female trainer award.
Courtesy : David McLellan, Moree Champion