The Lights Go Out In Launceston – Again
Monday night's combined greyhound – harness meeting at the Tote Racing Centre in Launceston had to be abandoned after the third race of each code due to a lighting failure.
Ten greyhound and nine harness races were programmed, however patrons and participants were once again left lamenting.
The dual code meetings have proven to be very popular in the past, but two of the last three have marred by lighting failures.
Without being an electrician, it is fairly obvious that the system is not capable of sustaining lighting for any length of time over both circuits.
The fact that the meeting was abandoned did not prevent the classy Brendan Pursell prepared bitch Cheetah Zorro from continuing on her winning way however.
She made it five wins in succession by taking out Heat 1 of the Mitsubishi Autumn Distance Medley (600 metres) in her customary brilliant fashion.
Paying a dividend of $1.30, the daughter of former top staying bitch Fallen Zorro defeated Canadian Bay and Paper Trail by two lengths in the time of 35.06.
Raced by Col Garity and Barry Heawood, Cheetah Zorro has proven to be a revelation since entering Pursell's kennel and has been unplaced only once in twenty attempts.
The first event on Monday night's abandoned card was won by the well related bitch Buckle Up Vurlie, an occupant of Gary Johnson's Ulverstone complex.
By Collision from Everlong Bale, she recorded her debut victory by taking out the Furniture City Juvenile Stake (515 metres) in the time of 30.86.
Meanwhile local champ Rewind won his 51st race at the Devonport Raceway on Tuesday afternoon when he prevailed in the Magic Sprite At Stud Invitation (452 metres).
The Maurie Strickland owned and prepared son of Collide engaged in an early speed duel with Magic Moss, but then assumed control on the turn for home, before winning comfortably in the time of 25.62.
“Rewind won his 50th race in Hobart last Thursday night and that coincided with his fourth birthday,” Strickland explained after the race.
“He is still racing with plenty of zest, so I will keep him going a bit longer,” he added.
It is believed in living memory that only four other Tasmanian greyhounds, in Mystery Bridge, Stylish Doctor, Tugrah Beaver and Valiant Spirit, have won more than a half century of races and that if Rewind can eventually greet the judge on 56 occasions, he will be the “winningest”ever Tasmanian chaser.
Smart chaser Nooee's Lad kept his Devonport Raceway record intact at the NWGRC meeting when he was successful in the Hankook Tyres Grade 4 (452 metres).
The Butch Deverell prepared Craig French owned son of Knocka Norris flew the lids and was never in danger of defeat, paying a dividend of $1.90.